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Kwai Ping-hung will appear at a special court hearing today after dramatic arrest

Police last night charged Hong Kong's most-wanted man, Kwai Ping-hung, with firearm offences after he was arrested on Christmas Eve in a Yau Ma Tei flat.

They are investigating his alleged involvement in 15 armed robberies in which more than $40 million in cash and jewels were stolen and his alleged role in the shooting of two police officers in Mongkok two years ago.

Kwai, 43, and his accomplice, surnamed Ng, 46, were nabbed in an early-morning raid by 120 police on his hideout.

More than 800 rounds of ammunition, an AK-47 assault rifle, seven grenades, two shotguns, six Black Star 7.62mm pistols and one .45 calibre pistol were discovered when officers raided the flat. It was the biggest seizure of firearms by police for nearly 30 years.

Police are still tracking down other suspected members of the gang.

The Organised Crime and Triad Bureau's Superintendent Simon So Kam-sing,  who is leading the investigation, last night confirmed Kwai had been charged pending a special hearing today in North Kowloon Court.

He has been charged with possession of arms and ammunition without a licence. Ng faces similar charges.

'These are holding charges,' Superintendent So said. 'Further charges are expected to be laid depending on the results of further inquiries.

'We are compiling a file which will be referred to the Department of Justice.'

Kwai became Hong Kong's most-wanted man - and the subject of a $2 million reward - after the shootout with police in Mongkok two years ago.

Constables Sze Kwan-ming and Lai Chi-wai were seriously wounded after they were shot at close range in a siege involving four men, one of them alleged to be Kwai.

It is understood the breakthrough in the manhunt came after a tip-off to Criminal Intelligence Bureau officers early last week.

Officials yesterday refused to say whether or not the $2 million reward would be paid out.

'The breakthrough is the result of a joint effort between the various units involved,' Superintendent So said.

Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa hailed the operation as a milestone in Hong Kong's stability.



City's most-wanted man is charged with firearms offences