******************************************************
Police successfully neutralised a horse racing bookmaking syndicate during an operation across the territory yesterday (June 22), arresting 15 people and seizing betting records valued at more than $60 million.
Officers of the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) conducted an intelligence-led operation codenamed "Violinmaker" targeting crime syndicates engaging in illegal horse racing bookmaking activities that utilised computers and the Internet as a platform for receiving bets.
After thorough investigations, OCTB officers raided various locations across the territory at around 8pm yesterday and arrested 13 men and two women, aged between 32 and 64, for "engaging in bookmaking" and "betting with a bookmaker".
They were arrested in the Tuen Mun, Yuen Long, Tai Po, Tsuen Wan, Cheung Sha Wan, Mong Kok, Wong Tai Sin, Tseung Kwan O and Sham Shui Po areas, and some of those arrested were core members of the syndicate.
Police also seized betting records valued at more than $60 million and 14 computers during the operation.
The arrest operation is still ongoing and all those arrested are still being detained for further enquiries.
Police will continue to combat illegal bookmaking activities. Police appeal to members of the public not to engage in illegal gambling and request anyone with information relating to illegal gambling to report it to the Police on 2527 7887.
Police Report No. 4
Issued by PPRB
Ends/Thursday, June 23, 2011
Issued at HKT 11:05
NNNN
