Hong Kong Police arrested a total of 1,087 people in their once-a-year joint operation with Guangdong and Macao Police against organized cross-broader crime.

During the month-long operation called "Thunderbolt", police searched over 3,000 entertainment venues, such as discos and massage centers. Among those arrested, 387 were not Hong Kong residents, said Cheuk Hau-yip, senior superintendent of Organized Crime and Triad Bureau, at a press conference on Monday.

Cheuk stated that no upward trend of any particular crime was observed. Yet police noticed the transport mode of human smuggling now differs from the previous. "In the past, they smuggled people by sea, sometimes hidden in containers. But now, they do it by air," Cheuk added. The illegal immigrants entered the Airport Restricted Area using boarding passes of other people to get on airplanes.

"This is not unique to Hong Kong. Many foreign countries found the same," he added, noting many mainland human smugglers choose Hong Kong as a middle station enroute to a third location, probably because Hong Kong airport has more international flights.

Triads were among the key targets for the joint cooperation. A separate operation named "Black Knight" on October 12 cracked down on an organization in Tsuen Wan and Sheung Shui. Forty-five people were arrested. A total of HK$450,000 was seized and assets worth of HK$10 million were frozen.

"We believe this effectively combats the triad societies and crime including human smuggling, gambling. This organization has laundered a total of HK$50 million for years," said Leung Ka-wai, acting superintendent of Organized Crime and Triad Bureau.

Police also identified and emptied two suspected arsenals located in To Kwa Wan and Tuen Mun. Knives, air rifles, telescopic batons, and handcuffs were seized. Seven males and four female were arrested. The two places are believed to be arsenals of triad societies, Leung noted.

Actions were also undertaken to combat the revenue sources of triads. Police seized a significant amount of goods for sale worth HK$7.8 million in total, including smuggled cigarettes valued of HK$640,000, HK$180,000 worth of pornographic disks, and over 15 thousand liters of smuggled oil also were seized.

About 300 mainland women were arrested for prostitution. Cheuk noted the number is a little higher than last year. He believes there is no increase in the trend.

There were crackdowns on illegal gambling activity. Twenty people were arrested and HK$1.8 million was seized. Police arrested 182 people as operators of illegal gambling dens.

"On November 6, a 31-year-old male was arrested for handling HK$1.3 million worth of bets," said Chan Yi-ping, acting superintendent of Organized Crime and Triad Bureau.

The Police also seized drugs valued HK$5 million, most of which was comprised of Ketamine, Cocaine, and Methamphetamine, also known as Ice. There were 169 arrests as a result.

China Daily

(HK Edition 11/09/2010 page1)