$5 million ransom was paid to a gang holding a businessman
A special fluorescent powder used in Hong Kong for the first time helped snare a gang of kidnappers after they were paid a $5 million ransom, a court heard yesterday.
The cash was dusted with the powder before it was handed over to the gang holding businessman Lam Yick-ming on September 5 last year.
Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Arthur Luk Yee-shun told the Court of First Instance that when Pun Luen-pan, Chi Ka-cheuk and Tang Kai-wing were arrested in the South Pacific Hotel on September 8 last year, Pun's sweater and some banknotes found in their room had traces of the fluorescent powder.
Pun, 28, has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping Mr Lam, while Chi, 29, Tang, 26, and co-accused Patrick Li Kam-bun, 28, have pleaded guilty.
Mr Lam, 40, told the court yesterday that he was preparing to get into his car at Concordia Plaza, Tsim Sha Tsui East, on September 4 last year when two men jumped out of a seven-seat vehicle. One said he was a police officer and lifted up his jacket to reveal a gun.
Mr Lam said the men tried to push him into the vehicle, but he struggled and was struck on the forehead with the gun.