Police have arrested 78 people during an island in Hong Kong anti-triad operationtargeting an underground “mini-casino” in North Point and a gang that organizes illegal betting on racehorses.
Forty-two men and 36 women were arrested between July 7 and Monday, Vincent Lo, senior police inspector, said in a media briefing. OUtreACH on Tuesday.
Those arrested were between the ages of 16 and 68, with some links to organized crime.
They were arrested on suspicion of various offences, including operating an illegal gambling establishment, gambling in an illegal gambling establishment, trafficking in a dangerous drug, pretending to be members of a gang, wounding, possession of an offensive weapon and money laundering.
Four illegal gambling dens and 10 bars offering illegal prostitution were dismantled, police said, adding that they seized drugs worth about HK$500,000.
The raids were part of a joint anti-triad operation across Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Macau, Lo said.
Lo said the “underground gambling den” in North Point was located inside a first-floor residential unit of about 1,000 square feet. It featured a mahjong and baccarat area, resembling a “mini-casino,” Lo said.
“To attract nearby residents to stay and gamble, the den also offered three meals a day and drinks,” Lo said in Cantonese, adding that it is estimated that the operators saw a maximum monthly income of about HK$400,000.
Illegal betting inside Happy Valley Racecourse
Police also dismantled a criminal syndicate that organized illegal horse racing betting inside the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s (HKJC) Happy Valley Racecourse.
After receiving a report from the HKJC saying it suspected cases of illegal betting at its racecourse, the police investigated and took action on race day on 8 July. They arrested a Hong Kong resident and six mainland Chinese men holding two-way permits on the premises.
The gang allegedly started the operation last year. Police are still investigating whether a large-scale syndicate was controlling the illegal betting behind the scenes.
The seven arrested claimed to be businessmen, workers, security guards or unemployed. They had no history of threesomes and claimed to have met while gambling, Lo said.
