Tripartite joint operation against triads and organised crime
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Chief Superintendent of the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau, Mr Man Tat-shing, said at a press conference today (June 15) 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 17 ", 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 authorities conducted searches on some 6,400 locations including discos, amusement game centres, massage establishments, nightclubs and residential units. A total of 3,618 persons 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 possession of arms or ammunition without licence.
The arrested persons included 1,944 men and 1,674 women, aged between 12 and 80 years. Amongst them, 1,135 were Mainlanders.
During the operation, police seized dangerous drugs and psychotropic drugs worth about HK$247 million, including cannabis, ketamine, cocaine, ice, heroin and midazolam, etc. Police also seized over 147,000 obscene and pirated DVD valued at about HK$3.5 million. Other seizure also included large batch of weapons and imitation firearms, about 340,000 rolls of contraband cigarettes.
"The satisfactory result of the operation 'THUNDERBOLT 17' 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 Man 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.
Ends/Thursday, June 15, 2017
Issued at HKT 20:59
Issued at HKT 20:59
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