TWELVE police officers won $38 million - the maximum allowed - in the Dragon Boat Festival snowball draw of the Mark Six lottery.
Each of the officers in the Operations Wing, ranking from constable to assistant commissioner, takes $3,166,000 of the jackpot.
The highest-ranking is Assistant Commissioner Dick Lee Ming-kwai, brother-in-law of Commissioner Eddie Hui Ki-on.
All have apparently pledged to remain in the force.
The win appeared to be a case of beginner's luck, and one with a twist of irony. Not only was the syndicate not a regular operation, but its members also seemingly forgot to ask their commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner Toby Emmet, to toss in $50 for the kitty.
Gossipers reported the following exchange over Mr Emmet's phone in the morning.
'Sir, we've got good news and bad news. Good news is that the reports of our win are true,' one of the officers allegedly quipped. 'Bad news is it looks like you're going to have to put up with us for a while longer. We're not leaving.' It is claimed the group did seek out another syndicate member, a chief inspector who reportedly declined.