HK police arrests 6,400 individuals involved in cross-border criminal activities

During a three-month effort to combat cross-border criminal activity, Hong Kong police reported the arrest of 6,400 persons, including children, and the seizure of millions of dollars in cash and contraband.

This operation, which was carried out in collaboration with authorities in the Chinese province of Guangdong and the surrounding Macau, included around 83,000 police officers. Since June 12, the operation has examined around 3,100 locations, concentrating on “gambling dens, vice establishments, unlicensed bars, and loan-sharks companies.” There were 4,115 males and 2,285 women imprisoned, ranging in age from 10 to 85, as well as an unknown number of children.

The operation, codenamed THUNDERBOLT 2023, sought to tackle the “illegal activities of triad societies and organised crime syndicates.” Law enforcement authorities also recovered contraband including as weapons and gambling materials, as well as drugs worth over HK$350 million (about $45 million), $1.5 million in cash, and other illegal commodities.

The detainees are accused of involvement in “triad-related or organised crimes,” such as criminal mischief, blackmail, drug trafficking, money laundering, and offences relating to the operation of brothels and casinos.

To effectively combat organised crime, Hong Kong police have underlined their commitment to continue to exchange information with authorities in mainland China and Macau.

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Original story by: Al Arabiya