Drugs network 'eradicated' in Hong Kong's Lan Kwai Fong nightlife district

A major drug trafficking network has been "eradicated" in Lan Kwai Fong after months of covert police operations that netted dozens of suspects - many from Africa - who were claiming refugee status in Hong Kong.

Those convicted of trafficking received sentences of six months to two years and eight months, or have been sent to drug addiction treatment centres.

But the law enforcement action has come too late for some regular patrons of the lively district who now frequent establishments in other areas.

Complaints of blatant drug dealing in Lan Kwai Fong and the surrounding area surfaced last year, with many bar owners and customers saying the street-level peddling hurt the area's image as a safe place for both tourists and locals.

"I wasn't happy about that," said Allan Zeman, chairman of the Lan Kwai Fong Group and the so-called "father" of the nightlife district. "We've never had this problem before. Lan Kwai Fong's always been pretty clean and drug free."

Zeman and members of the Lan Kwai Fong Association, which represented dozens of bar and restaurant owners, met the police about five months ago to discuss the problem.

Following their appeal, police from Central district's vice squad carried out a variety of operations that have led to the arrests of 84 people for drug offences.