Hong Kong anti-crime raids net 429 arrests
On.cc · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong law enforcement agencies carried out a territory-wide anti-crime and anti-triad operation from Thursday, August 6, to Saturday, August 8, targeting suspected triad-linked illegal activities across multiple districts . The operation, codenamed Thunderbolt 2026 and Yat Ying, involved raids on crime blackspots and suspected illegal premises throughout the city . A total of 429 people aged between 13 and 86 were arrested on allegations ranging from drug trafficking and illegal gambling to money laundering, assault, burglary and immigration offences . Officers also seized HK$3.7 million in cash, suspected narcotics of multiple types, 23 fishing arcade machines, nine butcher's knives, gambling tools and a large quantity of cigarettes .
Key Points
- The three-day operation ran from August 6 to August 8 and focused on triad-linked illegal activities in districts across Hong Kong .
- Among the 429 arrested were 201 local men, 42 mainland Chinese men, 35 non-ethnic Chinese men, 112 local women, 24 mainland Chinese women and 15 non-ethnic Chinese women .
- Suspected offences included managing a gambling establishment, gambling in a gambling establishment, drug trafficking, drug manufacture, drug possession, money laundering, assault and burglary .
- Police said two of those arrested were suspected illegal immigrants, while other allegations included breach of conditions of stay and claiming triad membership .
- Seized suspected drugs included ketamine, heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine powder, “Happy Powder”, cannabis, cannabis oil, MDMA tablets, midazolam, etomidate vape cartridges, liquid etomidate and methamphetamine .
Why It Matters
The scale of the arrests and seizures points to a broad enforcement push against organised crime networks, illegal gambling and drug activity affecting multiple Hong Kong districts . For residents, the operation underscores continuing official concern over triad-linked venues and the mix of narcotics, weapons and cash allegedly circulating through such places .