Police arrested over 2,100 people and seized dangerous drugs and illicit goods worth about $72 million during a tripartite anti-crime joint operation mounted by the Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macau Police authorities between July 22 and September 21.

     Senior Superintendent of the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau, Mr Brian Lowcock, said at a press conference today (September 22) 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 16", 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 3,500 locations including discos, amusement game centres, massage establishments, nightclubs and residential units. A total of 2,120 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 1,247 men and 873 women, aged between 13 and 79.  Among them, 357 were Mainlanders.

     During the operation, police seized dangerous drugs and psychotropic drugs worth about $62 million, including cannabis, ketamine, cocaine, ice, heroin and Midazolam, etc. Police also seized over 56,000 obscene and pirated DVDs valued at about $2.3 million. Other seizure included large batch of weapons and imitation firearms, and about 240,000 rolls of contraband cigarette.

     "The satisfactory result of the operation 'THUNDERBOLT 16' 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 Lowcock 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, September 22, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:31

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