Fifteen alleged senior members of a notorious triad gang are facing prosecution following a dramatic raid on a gambling cruise ship in Victoria Harbour.
Police yesterday claimed a major victory in one of the biggest triad crackdowns in recent years after 100 suspected gang members were arrested during an apparent election ceremony for a triad leader.
The 100 men, the youngest of whom is 15 and the oldest 82, were arrested when 140 officers from the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau and marine police boarded the ship off the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter on Friday night.
Seven marine police launches were used in the operation, during which account books, deposit slips and ceremonial robes were seized from the ship.
Police said yesterday officers had successfully prevented a ceremony to elect a new leader for the Wo On Lok triad society and dealt a severe blow to the local underworld.
The gang, also known as Shui Fong, which means 'water house', is one of the most active organised gangs in Hong Kong and Macau.