Police have shut down a triad syndicate active in selling drugs to youngsters in Tuen Mun, arresting 78 people including the syndicate mastermind and core members.
The crackdown began yesterday following five months of extensive investigation and planning after an undercover operation against the triad society began in November.
Police officers arrested the 68 men and 10 women, aged 13 to 40, for offences including dangerous drugs trafficking, unlawful assembly, claiming to be a triad society member, inviting others to become a triad society member and criminal damage.
They also seized 40g of ketamine, 10g of methamphetamine – commonly known as ‘ice’, and a large quantity of weapons including water pipes, wooden rods, hoods and mask. Six young drug dealers aged 15 to 20 were also arrested.
Investigation showed the core triad members exploited the younger members to sell drugs to their peers in parks, housing estates, and entertainment premises.
Some of those arrested had been involved in illegal debt-collection activities in which they splashed red paint onto debtors’ flats in housing estates.
These triad gangsters were also involved in illegal assembly in parks, housing estates, and entertainment establishments in the district and caused nuisance to the public. Police arrested 66 people for illegal assembly and wounding.
Of the 78 arrested people, 69 have been charged and will appear in Tuen Mun Magistracy tomorrow. The rest have been released on bail.
