Month-long crackdown...2,553 locations including brothels, massage
Almost 10,000 snared in triad crackdown
Annual cross-border operation comes weeks before Shenzhen's university games are due to open
Clifford Lo
Aug 05, 2011
scmp.com
Almost 10,000 people were rounded up in Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong in a joint cross-border operation against triads and organised crime groups last month, police said yesterday.
The month-long crackdown was carried out ahead of this month's World University Games - Universiade 2011 - in Shenzhen, which runs from August 12 to 23.
Acting Superintendent Ng Wai-hon of the organised crime and triad bureau said: "At this moment, we don't have any intelligence indicating that the university games will cause any threat in terms of crime to Hong Kong."
He said that if necessary, police would mount special operations, and that Hong Kong police were capable of tackling any trouble in the city.
Early this year, police in Shenzhen expelled more than 80,000 migrants from the city who were deemed a security risk and have taken other tough measures since January, according to a mainland newspaper.
The joint operation, codenamed "Thunderbolt 11" and held from July 1 to July 31, was an annual exercise that targeted triad gangs.
Backed by immigration and customs officers, Hong Kong police arrested 1,081 people - including 347 mainlanders - and confiscated HK$11 million worth of goods including illegal drugs, pornography, illicit oil and contraband cigarettes.
They were arrested for various offences, including being triad members, drug trafficking, managing vice establishments, bookmaking, wounding and illegal gambling.
They were picked up when officers raided 2,553 locations including gambling and drug dens, discos, games centres, brothels, massage establishments and a flat.
During the operation, police questioned 30,515 people, seized weapons such as beef knives, daggers and water pipes, and recovered four stolen cars. Officers also smashed two illegal bookmaking syndicates and found records of bets with a face value of HK$119 million.
Ng said 8,442 people were arrested in Guangdong and 279 people were nabbed in Macau. But Ng did not reveal if those arrested included any Hongkongers.
"In these two places [Macau and Guangdong], law enforcers seized illegal drugs, fake travel documents, guns and other weapons during the operation." Ng said the crime situation in Hong Kong had remained stable this year.
He said the success of the operation demonstrated the determination and capability of Hong Kong, Macau and Guangdong law enforcers in combating organised crimes.
"Hong Kong police will continue to maintain close co-operation and exchange intelligence with the mainland and Macau police to combat organised crimes and triad activities and hit their income sources."
[ Last edited by JackTheBat at 5-8-2011 09:39 ] | |
