'Broken Tooth' under 24-hour armed watch in deserted jail wing

REPUTED gang boss 'Broken Tooth' Wan Kuok-koi is being held in a one-man cell well away from other inmates in a deserted wing of Macau's Coloane Island jail.

Prison chiefs at the 680-inmate prison have ordered a 24-hour armed watch on the alleged head of the enclave's 14K triad society as violence outside the prison - thought to be the work of 14K gangsters - threatens to spiral out of control.

But Wan's isolation is not solely due to security fears and preventing a possible breakout.

Five of Wan's associates who were arrested with him last weekend, were supposed to be occupying the other cells in the wing, but they were released on bail.

Sources confirmed that the release of the five, including Wan's younger brother, Kwok-hung, had left 'Broken Tooth' Koi completely alone in the wing apart from his guards.

Prison Chief Jose Maria Hui refused to comment on security arrangements for Wan, but the source said: 'They have special arrangements, he is the only prisoner in that particular wing and he is watched constantly by armed guards.' Wan was arrested nine days ago by Judiciary Police Director Dr Antonio Marques Baptista, 12 hours after the police chief's car was wrecked in a bomb attack as he was jogging.

Wan has been charged with criminal association after judges rejected police charges relating to murder, drug smuggling and illegal immigration because of insufficient evidence.