Police target triad revenue in major crackdown after murder

The murder of gangster Lee Tai-lung in Tsim Sha Tsui East this week has prompted a major police crackdown on triads.

Chief Inspector Wan Siu-hung of the force's organised crime and triad bureau said: 'Following the serious violent crime in Tsim Sha Tsui district, the police believe there is a need for an extensive anti-triad operation to crack down on any illegal activity.' He was referring to the murder of the 41-year-old Sun Yee On triad kingpin outside the Kowloon Shangri-La hotel at 4am on Tuesday.

The police operation would continue for some time. 'We aim to cut the source of income of triad societies,' he said.

Chief Inspector Wan was speaking after leading an anti-vice operation on Thursday night in which 10 mainland women and three Hong Kong residents were arrested in a suspected brothel at 26 Prat Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui. Police said they believed the premises were under the control of a triad society.

The mainland women, aged between 23 and 38, were charged with breaching their conditions of stay and were expected to appear in court today.

The Hong Kong residents, a man and two women aged between 29 and 57, were allegedly managing the premises. They were released on bail of between HK$1,000 and HK$5,000 and ordered to report back to police on August 27.