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Police arrested over 1,100 people and seized dangerous drugs and illicit goods worth about $15 million during a tripartite anti-crime joint operation mounted by the Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macau Police authorities between July 9 and August 8.
Chief Superintendent of the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau, Mr Kwok Ho-fai, said at a press conference today (August 16) that the police authorities of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau have spared no effort to combat triad activities and organised crimes, especially cross-border syndicates. The intelligence-led enforcement operation, codenamed "Thunderbolt 12", was aimed at curbing the illegal activities of triad societies and organised crime syndicates, neutralising cross-border crimes, and interdicting the criminals' source of income.
During the operation, police conducted searches on some 1,600 locations including discos, amusement game centres, massage establishments, night clubs and residential units. A total of 1,191 people were arrested for various offences, including triad-related offences, drug offences, managing vice establishments, breach of conditions of stay, illegal gambling, criminal damage, wounding and the possession and publishing of pornography.
The arrested persons included 686 men and 505 women. Among them, 232 were Mainlanders.
During the operation, police also seized about 40 kilograms of ketamine and about 800 tablets of psychotropic drugs including Ecstasy, Midazolam and Zopiclone, worth about $4.67 million in total.
About 37,000 pornographic and pirated compact discs worth about $510,000 were also seized. Moreover, the seizure also included about 72,000 rolls of contraband cigarettes and 900 litres of dutiable petrol.
"The satisfactory result of the operation 'Thunderbolt 12' was certainly due to continuous co-operation of the police authorities of the three jurisdictions over the years and the fact that they have done their best to bring criminals to justice as well as cutting off their illegal sources of income,กจ Mr Kwok said.
Police would continue to maintain close liaison and to exchange intelligence with neighbouring police authorities in the Mainland and Macau with a view to interdicting cross-boundary triad activities to uphold the public confidence in law and order.
Police Report No. 193
Ends/Thursday, August 16, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:01
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