Hong Kong police have arrested 65 people following a large-scale operation targeting a criminal syndicate suspected of operating illegal gambling dens and unlicensed nightclubs, while also uncovering an alleged money laundering operation involving more than HK$13 million ($1.7 million).
The two-day enforcement action, codenamed Thunderbolt and Roaring Tiger, was carried out by Kowloon West Regional Crime Headquarters in conjunction with the Immigration Department. More than 170 officers raided 10 locations across Hung Hom, Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po. Police said intelligence indicated the syndicate was operating unlicensed nightclubs inside industrial buildings in Hung Hom while also running illegal gambling establishments elsewhere in Kowloon West.
Among those arrested were 40 men and 25 women aged between 25 and 63. Suspects face a range of alleged offences including operating illegal gambling establishments, gambling in illegal gambling establishments, money laundering, drug trafficking, possession of dangerous drugs and breaches of immigration conditions.
Authorities said the first phase of the operation targeted three suspected illegal entertainment venues in Hung Hom. Officers arrested 26 people, comprising 19 men and seven women, after discovering unlicensed premises allegedly supplying illicit drugs and employing mainland Chinese women holding two-way permits as hostesses.
Police seized approximately 360 grams of suspected narcotics, including ketamine, methamphetamine, cocaine and a mixture commonly known as “happy powder”, with an estimated street value of HK$190,000 ($24,200). Officers also confiscated alcohol, sound equipment and other items allegedly linked to the operation of the venues.
A further raid on two suspected nightclubs in Tsim Sha Tsui resulted in the arrest of 10 mainland Chinese women, aged between 25 and 40, who were suspected of working as hostesses in breach of their visa conditions. Investigators also executed warrants at three suspected gambling dens and a property believed to have been used both as a staff dormitory and storage facility.
Police said the gambling venues offered fishing arcade games and alleged that the syndicate used third-party bank accounts to process gambling proceeds. According to investigators, financial inquiries found that more than HK$13 million ($1.7 million) had been laundered through the personal bank account of a core syndicate member over several years.
During the gambling-related raids, officers arrested another 29 people, comprising 21 men and eight women aged between 27 and 63. They are being investigated for suspected money laundering, conspiracy to operate illegal gambling establishments, operating illegal gambling establishments and gambling in illegal gambling establishments.
Authorities also seized 20 gaming console motherboards, card readers, gambling reward cards and HK$47,000 ($6,000) in cash believed to be linked to the illegal gambling activities.
Under Hong Kong law, operating an illegal gambling establishment carries a maximum penalty of seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million ($637,000), while gambling at an illegal gambling establishment is punishable by up to nine months’ imprisonment and a fine of HK$50,000 ($6,400). Selling alcohol without a licence carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment and a HK$1 million ($127,000) fine.
