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Police believed to have smashed a drug trafficking syndicate active in Tai Po after the arrest of 16 men and two women in an undercovered operation.

Police officers of the Regional Crime Unit of New Territories North (RCU NTN) mounted an operation codenamed "Crosshands" targeting at the drug trafficking activities in Tai Yuen Estate in Tai Po a week ago.

The operation turned overt yesterday (August 19) after 11 control buy transactions were successfully completed by undercoverd Police officers.

RCU NTN officers arrested nine men in a park outside Tai Ling House of Tai Yuen Estate and seized a small amount of suspected No.4 Heroin yesterday (August 19).

Investigations led to the arrest of another six men and two women with the seizure of 12 knives and two water pipes on the same day (August 19) in Tai Po and Sheung Shui.

In a follow-up operation, RCU officers arrested one more man in Tai Po today (August 20).

The arrest persons, aged between 17 and 50, were arrested for conspiracy to trafficking in dangerous drugs and possession of offensive weapons.

Among the arrested persons, one man and one woman were granted Police bail and the others are still being detained for enquiries.

Investigations by Regional Crime Unit of New Territories North were underway.

Add Police Report No.1

Issued by PPRB

End/1745 hours, Wednesday, August 20, 2003 (KCH/TK)

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