EIGHT men suspected of killing the master of a Hongkong fishing vessel in Chinese territorial waters on Sunday morning have been arrested by the Public Security Bureau in Taishan City. Another four suspected pirates are being sought. Police in Taishan City believed they were the pirates who, armed with a double-barrel shotgun and knives, used a grey high-powered speedboat for a number of raids on ships in the area. According to the China News Service, all were residents of Taishan and were led by Li Kuopui and Yang Hoka. The report said the men had boarded the Hongkong fishing boat from the stern at about 2 am on March 28. One of the gang fired the shotgun, killing the master of the vessel, Mr Po So-ha. His accomplices, who were armed with knives, robbed the crew of 1,470 yuan (HK$1,980), some Hongkong currency and gold ornaments. They then left on a grey speedboat. The crew on a passing Chinese vessel saw the attack and reported to the Public Security Bureau. Officers stationed along the seafront kept watch for the speedboat and checked on people who had put out to sea that night. The men were arrested after a series of raids. One of the leaders had been recently released from prison after serving 21/2 years for burglary.
