Tripartite joint operation "THUNDERBOLT 2022" against triads and organised crime
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The police authorities of Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao have spared no effort to combat triad activities and organised crimes, especially cross-boundary syndicates. The intelligence-led enforcement operation “THUNDERBOLT 2022” aimed at curbing illegal activities of triad societies and organised crime syndicates, neutralising cross-boundary crimes, and interdicting the criminals’ sources of income.
During the operation, Hong Kong Police conducted searches at about 5 500 locations including bars, amusement game centres, cyber cafes, party rooms and residential units with the Immigration Department, the Customs and Excise Department, the Fire Services Department, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and other government departments. A total of 3 581 persons were arrested for triad-related and drug-related offences, including wounding, arson, claiming to be a member of a triad society, criminal damage, blackmail, possession of offensive weapons, trafficking in dangerous drugs, operating illegal gambling establishments, operating vice establishments, conspiracy to control over persons for purpose of prostitution, passing counterfeit banknotes, dealing with property known or reasonably believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence (commonly known as “money laundering”) and attempting to export unmanifested cargo. A total of 2 407 men and 1 174 women, aged between 11 and 94, were arrested. Among them, 179 were Mainlanders and 277 were non-ethnic Chinese. Hong Kong Police seized frozen meat worth over $4 million, as well as dangerous drugs and psychotropic drugs, including cannabis, ketamine, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and midazolam, worth about $340 million in total.
Hong Kong Police would continue to maintain close liaison and exchange intelligence with the police authorities of the Mainland and Macao with a view to interdicting cross-boundary triad activities and upholding public confidence in law and order.
Ends/Friday, October 7, 2022
Issued at HKT 15:00
Issued at HKT 15:00
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