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Police arrested over 1 800 people and seized dangerous drugs and illicit goods worth about $39 million during a tripartite anti-crime joint operation mounted by the Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macau Police authorities between July 23 and August 22.
Chief Superintendent of the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau, Mr Kwok Ho-fai, said at a press conference today (August 23) that the police authorities of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau have spared no effort to combat triad activities and organised crimes, especially cross-boundary syndicates. The intelligence-led enforcement operation, codenamed "Thunderbolt 13", was aimed at curbing the illegal activities of triad societies and organised crime syndicates, neutralising cross-boundary crimes, and interdicting the criminals' source of income.
During the operation, police conducted searches on some 2 600 locations including discos, amusement game centres, massage establishments, night clubs and residential units. A total of 1 813 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 possessing and publishing of pornography.
The arrested persons included 987 men and 826 women, aged between 12 and 95. Among them, 477 were Mainlanders.
During the operation, police also seized dangerous drugs and psychotropic drugs worth about $34 million, including ketamine, cocaine, ice, Midazolam and Zopiclone, etc. About 190,000 pornographic and pirated compact discs worth about $4.9 million were also seized. The seizure also included large batch of weapons and imitation firearms, about 70 000 rolls of contraband cigarettes and about 50 litres of dutiable petrol.
Besides, Guangdong and Macao Police have assisted Hong Kong in arresting two male and one female wanted persons, aged between 45 and 52, and repatriated them back to Hong Kong. These three arrested persons were involved in money laundering, conspiracy to defraud and deception respectively. They have been charged and brought before the courts of Hong Kong.
"The satisfactory result of the operation 'Thunderbolt 13' was certainly due to continuous co-operation of the police authorities of the three jurisdictions over the years. Hong Kong Police will continue to proactively combating triad personalities and their activities and confiscating proceeds of crime through intelligence-led and undercover operations and investigations," Mr Kwok said.
Police would continue to maintain close liaison and to exchange intelligence with the Mainland and Macau police authorities with a view to interdicting cross-boundary triad activities to uphold the public confidence in law and order.
Police Report no. 423
Ends/Friday, August 23, 2013
Issued at HKT 22:14
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