Minibus extortion ring cracked

At least three triad gangs that allegedly extorted money from minibus drivers have been smashed after a 20-month investigation ended in raids across the city yesterday.

Twenty men, including alleged members of the Sun Yee On, 14K and Wo Shing Wo triad societies, were arrested when police raided more than 50 locations, mainly residential flats, from 4am.

Officers were understood to be searching for at least 10 more men.

The 20 suspects, aged 29 to 57, were arrested for offences including blackmail, criminal intimidation, assault and claiming to be members of a triad society. Police said the extortion was discovered after an undercover agent drove a red minibus 20 months ago to collect evidence and identity core figures.

Investigations revealed several red minibus routes and busy minibus stands were controlled by several triad gangs, said Chief Inspector Ng Kwok-keung of New Territories South regional crime unit.

He said some of the routes operated around the clock from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon or from Kowloon to the New Territories.