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Police New Territories North (NTN) Regional Headquarters mounted an undercover operation against a triad society and arrested the mastermind and core members of the syndicate yesterday (March 30).
The operation codenamed ¡°KNOTMETER¡± was initiated in November 2009 with an aim to crack down on a triad syndicate active in selling drugs to youngster in Tuen Mun District.
Senior Superintendent (Crime) NTN, Mr Leung Chin Wah said the crackdown began yesterday (March 30) following extensive investigation and planning for over five months.
Crime officers from NTN Region arrested 68 men and 10 women, aged between 13 and 40. They were arrested for various offences including trafficking in dangerous drugs, unlawful assembly, claiming to be a member of a triad society, inviting others to become a member of a triad society and criminal damage.
The officers have seized 40 grams of Ketamine, 10 grams of Methamphetamine (known commonly as Ice), a large quantity of offensive weapons including water pipes, wooden rods, hoods and masks during the operation.
Police investigation revealed that the core triad members exploited the younger members to sell drugs to their peer group in parks, housing estates, and entertainment premises.
In the operation, police have arrested six young drugs dealers. They are aged between 15 and 20.
Some of the arrested persons were also involved in illegal debt collection activities in which they splashed red paint to debtors¡¯ flats in housing estates. The youngest offender is only about 15 or 16-year-old.
These triad gangsters also involved in illegal assembly in parks, housing estates, and entertainment establishments in the district and caused nuisance to the public. During the operation police have arrested 66 people for illegal assembly and wounding.
Among the 78 arrested persons, 69 have been charged and would appear in Tuen Mun Magistrates¡¯ Courts tomorrow (April 1) while the rest have been released on police bail pending for further enquiries.
Police Report No. 2
Issued by PPRB
Ends/Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Issued at HKT 20:19
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