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One of the two suspects in Hong Kong businessman Taiwan kidnap case brought to police station. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Taiwan-Hong Kong police story: inside the secret joint operation to rescue the wealthy businessman kidnapped by the world's most notorious triad

Law enforcers from Hong Kong and Taiwan worked together on sensitive plan to free businessman held captive by gang for 38 days

The release of wealthy Hong Kong businessman Wong Yuk-kwan from a 38-day kidnap ordeal in Taiwan was the result of a hush-hush police operation that pushed the boundaries of politically sensitive cross-strait diplomacy.

Sources with a knowledge of the delicate moves required to secure the release of the 68-year-old chef-turned chairman of Hong Kong-listed Pearl Oriental Oil Company told the that cooperation between Hong Kong's organised crime and triad bureau and Taiwan's police was instrumental in securing his safe release.

READ MORE: Hong Kong businessman bailed on fraud charges rescued from Taiwanese kidnappers demanding HK$70m ransom

Wong Yuk-kwan
Wong was blindfolded, chained and under the guard of two kidnappers when Taiwanese police stormed a secluded house overnight on Tuesday. Detectives from both sides believe one of Taiwan's biggest organised crime groups - the United Bamboo gang - was hired by persons unknown to snatch the businessman, who is embroiled in a fraud trial in Hong Kong.

Fifteen people - all Taiwanese and including members of the United Bamboo triad gang - were picked up in a series of raids across Taiwan.

Watch: Suspects in Hong Kong businessman Taiwan kidnap case brought to police station

"All of them were only carrying out orders," Tsai I-hsueh, a detective from New Taipei City's Xindian district in charge of the investigation, told the . "We are still investigating the motive and the whereabouts of any mastermind."

The arrests came after two of the suspects came to Hong Kong in an attempt to collect the ransom money. They were identified by Hong Kong police and then tailed in a clandestine operation planned and executed between Hong Kong and Taiwan officers.

Tsai would only confirm that Taiwanese police received intelligence from their Hong Kong counterparts, but would not elaborate. It is understood that when the pair returned to Taiwan, Taiwanese police tailed them to the house, one of the sites where Wong was held captive.

WHO KIDNAPPED HIM? Bamboo Union: 10,000-strong Taiwanese triad linked to kidnap of Hong Kong executive is ‘one of world’s most dangerous gangs’

One of the sources believes United Bamboo gangsters were hired to kidnap Wong. "It is possible the mastermind behind the plot has a dispute over financial problem with the victim," the source said.

Two of the 12 people kidnaped, all believed to be connected to Taiwan's United Bamboo gang. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Describing the kidnapping as "peculiar", the acting mayor of New Taipei City, Hou You-yi, said: "The method and way of the kidnapping are different from the circumstances of previous cases."

Despite the kidnappers' demand for ransom to be paid in Hong Kong on two separate occasions, Taiwanese police said no money was handed over.

Yesterday, a doctor from a Taipei hospital said of Wong's condition after his 38-day ordeal: "So far, his psychological condition is sound with clear conscious mind." Tsai, the Taiwanese detective, said Wong had no obvious injuries except his right eye was bruised and he appeared to be physically frail.

Wong was abducted into a black seven-seat car as he left his residence in Xindian on September 20. His wife then made a report to police in Taiwan who sought help from Hong Kong police.

To avoid detection, kidnappers contacted his family through emails. At least five video clips of Wong appealing to his family to raise money were sent with the emails. According to one clip obtained by Apple Daily, the appeal was dated October 22.

Wong, who was known to be a dynamic tycoon for years, looked gaunt yesterday after being freed from kidnappers. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Looking tired and appearing to have suffered facial injuries, Wong, wearing a white T-shirt, says in the clip: "My dearest daughter, it's daddy. Today is October 22, 2015, on Thursday. Please come to help mum remit the remaining amount [of ransom] tomorrow. Stay strong. Wait for my return."

READ MORE: A colourful life's latest chapter: Hong Kong executive freed from Taiwanese kidnappers is no stranger to headlines

As the HK$70 million ransom was ordered to be paid in Hong Kong, his wife returned to the city with Taiwanese police to make arrangements.

She was originally ordered to pay money in mid-October but abductors were told more than HK$10 million was raised and more time was needed to raise the rest of the money. His wife was then asked to pay the money through a Bitcoin account.

The source said at least two of the culprits came to Hong Kong and were identified by police when they entered and left the city repeatedly. "We don't rule out the possibility they followed the victim's wife to come to Hong Kong," he said.

No arrests have been made in Hong Kong. It is understood the unofficial joint operation is the first between Hong Kong and Taiwanese police in a decade.

Wong was supposed to have appeared in the High Court in Hong Kong yesterday for a hearing into fraud allegations. Mr. Justice Joseph Yau Chi-lap adjourned the case to December 9.

Pearl Oriental Oil said in a statement that "notwithstanding he is undergoing physical examinations, he [Wong] is able to resume his duties as the chairman and an executive director of the company with immediate effect". Shares in the company closed at HK$0.29, down 1.695 per cent from the previous day.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Kidnappers foiled in rare police operation
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