150 arrested as police smash triad-run gambling ring

One hundred and fifty people have been arrested on suspicion of engaging in illegal gambling activities, with records showing the bank transactions involved amounting to about HK$320 million while HK$1 million in cash was seized, officers said on Tuesday.

In raids conducted from June 12 to 14, police hit a total of eight premises suspected to be connected to online illegal gambling – four to process bets, three for promotions and administration, and one used to recruit hunters and collect stooge accounts.

Those arrested, aged between 18 and 75, included core members of the syndicate, staff at the eight operating centres, stooge account recruiters and holders, as well as gamblers.

Officers said they will be charged with different gambling-related offences, such as conspiracy to commit bookmaking and launder money.

Officers believe their operation has smashed the syndicate, which is controlled by triads, and cut off its source of income.

"With regards to online gambling, police will adopt intelligence-led operations and we will act according to what the intelligence tells us," chief inspector Wong Yu-fai said.

"This operation is a good example of how we do things and how we tackle illegal gambling, including those that are done online."

Edited by Tony Sabine ...