During a crackdown aimed at 252 illegal establishments and entertainment venues spread citywide across three days, Hong Kong authorities have completed 347 total arrests connected to triad-controlled sex, drug, and gambling businesses. 

Uncovered Illegal Businesses, Closed Down

The hundreds of drug dens, gambling venues, and pubs that did not carry any licenses to function were visited by the police Friday through Sunday in collaboration with fire and immigration services as part of a complex, multi-department action aimed at discovering illegal businesses. 

Among the visited entertainment venues, the police mentioned game centers, mahjong parlors, pubs, nightclubs, and saunas. 

A police spokesman explained the illegal businesses that did not comply with the law were “closed down.” Besides the 252 locals who were placed under arrest, the authorities also retained 13 mainlanders and three people who were illegally staying in the city.

Similarly, in  February 2023, the Hong Kong Police Force announced it arrested 234 individuals, including dozens of suspected triad members during operation Levington.

Fighting Off Triad Activities, a Top Priority

According to a recent police statement, all 347 suspects were detained on suspicion of various offenses. The list featured trafficking in a dangerous drug, claims to be members of a triad society, managing gambling establishments, criminal damages, managing drug dens, wounding, or accusations related to laundering crime proceeds.

The police spokesperson further emphasized that “Combating triad activities is one of the top priorities of the commissioner of police.”

The spokesperson added that the authorities will keep enhancing intelligence gatherings and taking “timely and targeted law enforcement actions” against violent crimes, organized crime activities, and their income sources.

Last October, two high-profile incidents related to gangsters in the New Territories convinced the authorities to perform two similar triad crackdown operations across the city.

During one of the four-day anti-triad operations, police officers raided entertainment venues run by the triad, while deciding to shut down a series of brothels and gambling dens.

Between October 26 and 29, police made 46 arrests, including the “Bei Wing,” the alleged leader of the Sun Yee On faction in Tuen Mun.

Last December, law enforcement in Hong Kong made over 100 arrests while shutting down gambling dens, and seizing cash, bank cards, and criminal proceeds.  

In the first 10 months of 2023, police authorities tackled no less than 1,620 different reports of crimes tied to triads, marking a 2.2% rise from the 1,585 cases that were recorded in the same period of 2022.

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