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Police arrested over 4,300 people and seized dangerous drugs and illicit goods worth about $102 million during a tripartite anti-crime joint operation mounted by the Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macau Police authorities between June 15 and September 18.
Chief Superintendent of the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau, Mr Au Chin-chau, said at a press conference today (September 23) that the police authorities of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau have spared no effort to combat triad activities and organized crimes, especially cross-boundary syndicates. The intelligence-led enforcement operation, codenamed "THUNDERBOLT 15", was aimed at curbing the illegal activities of triad societies and organized crime syndicates, neutralizing cross-boundary crimes, and interdicting the criminals' source of income.
During the operation, police conducted searches on some 7,500 locations including discos, amusement game centres, massage establishments, nightclubs and residential units. A total of 4,343 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 obscene articles.
The arrested persons included 2,539 men and 1,804 women, aged between 12 and 85. Among them, 1,177 were Mainlanders.
During the operation, police seized dangerous drugs and psychotropic drugs worth about $67 million, including cannabis, ketamine, cocaine, ice, heroin, Midazolam and Zopiclone, etc. Police also raided an obscene and pirated DVD duplication centre, seizing some 220,000 obscene and pirated DVDs and a number of production tools valued at about $4.9 million. The seizure also included a large batch of weapons and imitation firearms, and about 290,000 rolls of contraband cigarettes.
"The satisfactory result of the operation 'THUNDERBOLT 15' 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 combat triad personalities and their activities and confiscate proceeds of crime through intelligence-led and undercover operations and investigations," Mr Au said.
Police will 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.
Ends/Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Issued at HKT 20:22
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