Three held over powder letters to restaurant group
Bastillepost · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Police have arrested two male principals and one female employee of a Kwun Tong renovation company after more than 30 threatening letters were sent to a local restaurant group, its branches and people connected to the business. Investigators said the letters contained skull imagery, the word “poisonous” and white powder later confirmed by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau to be flour, and they believe the campaign was tied to a money dispute over renovation fees exceeding HK$1 million.
Key Points
- On October 6, a restaurant group employee and a security guard reported separate threatening letters sent to a Tsim Sha Tsui branch and the group’s office.
- Each letter contained an A4 sheet printed with a skull-and-crossbones image and the word “poisonous”, together with unidentified white powder.
- On October 7 and 8, more reports came from residents and shop staff near a Tseung Kwan O branch, as well as a partner of the restaurant involved.
- After surveillance at the renovation company’s office on October 9, police arrested three suspects aged 45 to 65 and seized stamps, envelopes, a photocopier and computers.
- Police said the suspects allegedly planned an illegal debt-collection operation to pressure the restaurant group over disputed renovation payments of more than HK$1 million.
Why It Matters
The case shows how a commercial payment dispute can spill into conduct that alarms staff, nearby residents and businesses when threatening mail is sent to multiple locations. Police said the three were arrested on suspicion of criminal intimidation, an offence that can carry a maximum five-year jail term upon conviction, and the investigation remains ongoing with further arrests not ruled out