Updated at 6.16pm: Police arrested 21 people and seized suspected stolen goods worth about $1.2 million during a crackdown on the handling of stolen goods, a spokesman said on Thursday. The operation, codenamed 'Steamroller', was mounted by officers of the Regional Crime Unit of Kowloon West on Wednesday. After investigations, officers raided shops and stalls on Argyle Street and Sai Yeung Choi Street in Mong Kok and on Un Chau Street, Kweilin Street and Apliu Street in Sham Shui Po. Twenty men and a woman, aged from 20 - 52, were arrested during the operation. A quantity of suspected stolen goods - including over 300 mobile phones, some watches and jewellery with an estimated value of $1.2 million - were seized. Nine men have been released on police bail pending further enquiries while the others are still being detained, the spokesman said. Police are also appealing to victims of burglaries and robberies to call: 2761 2348 for the arrangement of identification of property. The spokesman said police would continue to target outlets involved in handling stolen goods. People convicted of handling stolen goods may be subject to a maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment.
