Pistols to be used in triad war

GUNS smuggled through the Macau Ferry Terminal in Hong Kong were likely to have been used in a growing triad dispute in the enclave over casino profits, sources said yesterday.

The dispute between Macau's 14K and the Shui Fong triad groups is believed to have led to the smuggling of the two American pistols and 29 bullets from Hong Kong on Tuesday morning.

Chung Kwong, a Hong Kong identity card holder, was arrested at the ferry terminal on Tuesday when police saw him acting suspiciously.

The 20-year-old was charged with possessing a firearm and faces up to eight years in a Macau prison.

The incident again highlighted low security at the Shun Tak ferry terminal, which was tightened after armed bandits smuggled guns on board in Macau and hijacked a jetfoil in June.

But despite the security breach there are no plans for increased security at the terminal, said Customs and Excise Assistant Commissioner (Operation) Raymond Li Wai-man.