20th November 2023 – (Hong Kong) In a coordinated effort between the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) and personnel from various districts, Hong Kong police launched a major operation codenamed “Operation Ridding the Fields” from 17th to 19th November to combat triad gangs. As of the early hours of 20th November, a total of approximately 1,990 officers were mobilised, conducting raids on 393 entertainment venues across the city. The targeted establishments included mahjong parlours, bars, nightclubs, gaming centres, and sauna facilities. The operation resulted in the dismantling of numerous suspected gambling dens, brothels, and drug dens.
During the operation, 65 men and 33 women were apprehended, including 14 individuals from mainland China and 12 individuals of Vietnamese, Indian, Nigerian, or Indonesian descent. The ages of those arrested ranged from 17 to 74 years old. The individuals face a variety of charges, including operating gambling establishments, managing brothels, running drug operations, trafficking dangerous substances, drug possession, illegal confinement, assault, criminal damage, theft, obtaining property by deception, handling proceeds of crime (money laundering), and illegal immigration.
Significant seizures were made during the operation, including approximately 1,500 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine, around 450 grams of suspected ketamine, five fishing machines, seven mahjong tables, four massage beds, and approximately HK$60,000 in cash.
The police reiterated their commitment to combatting organized crime, emphasizing that cracking down on triad activities has always been a top priority for the Hong Kong Police Force. They affirmed that no leniency would be shown towards any illegal activities conducted by triad gangs. The police will continue to prioritise intelligence-led operations and exert maximum efforts to disrupt triad activities and their sources of income.
