Police Operation "Nightstinger" to combat triad and organised crime

Hong Kong Police arrested 222 people in an anti-crime operation codenamed "Nightstinger" conducted from December 28, 2011 to January 8, 2012 which resulted in seizure of dangerous drugs, obscene optical discs, duty-not-paid cigarettes and cash with a total worth of about $700,000.

Speaking at a pressconference today (January 9), Acting Chief Superintendent of the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB), Mr Michael Cheuk Hau-yip, said this intelligence-led operation aimed at smashing a syndicate active in Kowloon and the New Territories, curbing its expansion and tackling triad-related crimes.

OCTB deployed undercover officers in the last two years with a view to infiltrating into the syndicate, collecting crime-related evidence, and obtaining information of its core members. Officers have arrested 78 men aged from 15 to 68 for trafficking in dangerous drugs, blackmail, unlawful gambling, serious wounding, managing a triad society, acting as a member of a triad society and affray. Among the arrestees, 22 of them have been charged with corresponding offences and have already appeared at Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts for trial on December 31, 2011.

The remaining ones were bailed pending further enquiries and are required to report back to Police from late January to early February, 2012.

Meanwhile, officers of OCTB, Criminal Intelligence Bureau, Narcotics Bureau, Commercial Crime Bureau and all Regional Anti-triad Units conducted a territory-wide arrest operation from December 28, 2011 to January 8, 2012. A total of 78 men and 66 women aged from 27 to 62 were arrested in connection with triad, drug-trafficking, unlawful gambling and other violence offences. Among the arrested, 68 of them have been charged with triad-related offences while the remaining ones were bailed pending further investigation and should report back in mid-February, 2012.

Seizures include unlawful gambling money worth about $160,000, dangerous drugs with a market value of about $200,000, about 10,000 obscene optical discs, some 1,640 illicit cigarettes and offensive weapons.

The Police reiterated that they have full confidence and ability in combating against triads, organized crimes and crime syndicates. A proactive intelligence-led strategy will continually be adopted to tackle triad members and activities.