30th May 2023 – (Hong Kong) A police officer has been charged with six counts of money laundering for allegedly handling over HKD 6.24 million in crime proceeds between 2019 and 2021 using his five bank accounts and a Hong Kong Jockey Club betting account. The officer, surnamed Kwong, was arrested and brought to court for the first time on 30th May. The defence team requested a postponement to provide further legal advice, which was granted by the court. The case was adjourned to 29th June, and Kwong was allowed to remain on bail.
The charges allege that Kwong knew or had reasonable grounds to believe that the money in his accounts represented proceeds of an indictable offence. The amounts were allegedly handled by Kwong between 16th October, 2019 and 23rd February, 2021, 10th December, 2019 and 22nd January, 2020, 14th January, 2020 and 13th October, 2020, 30th March, 2020 and 22nd May, 2020, 16th April, 2020 and 8th February, 2021, and 16th April, 2020 and 12th May, 2021.
Kwong, who is 29 years old, is currently out on bail of HK$10,000 and is required to report to the police station twice a week. He is not allowed to leave Hong Kong during this period. The case highlights the seriousness of money laundering and the need for strict enforcement of anti-money laundering laws, even among law enforcement officers. The court will continue to review the evidence and determine the appropriate course of action based on the facts of the case.