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Police neutralized an extortion syndicate targeting at construction sites in Lantau Island in an undercover operation and arrested six men yesterday.
Following investigation of two arson cases in which two excavators were burnt in a construction site at Lantau Island in September 2004, officers from Regional Anti-triad Unit, New Territories South (RATU/NTS) mounted a covert operation since May 2005.
In June 2005, a 36-year-old man approached one of our RATU officers, who posed as a construction company agent, for bidding foundation work of a construction site.
During a meeting with the undercovered officer, the man claimed to be responsible for security of all construction sites in Lantau Island and demanded the officers to pay $0.9 million for security fee.
After further negotiation with the man, he agreed to lower the amount to $280,000 and a meeting for transaction at a restaurant in Fu Tung Shopping Centre, Lantau Island was arranged yesterday (September 29).
When two men, aged 50 and 51, appeared and requested for the money, ambushing officers took action and apprehended the men.
In the same evening, four men, aged between 22 and 37, suspected to be in connection with the case surrendered to Tung Chung Police Station and were also arrested.
Police appealed to construction company owners in Lantau Island who have been extorted but did not report their cases to Police to contact the RATU/NTS at 3661 1255.
Police Report No.10
Ends/Friday, September 30, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:06
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