Hong Kong police arrest 81 in crackdown on string of triad-run gambling dens
- The gambling dens offered patrons free low-quality crystal meth, and helped them to buy other drugs as well
- The operators also increased the difficulty of the arcade games used in the premises so patrons would lose more money
Police have rounded up 81 people in a crackdown on a triad-controlled syndicate that ran 14 illegal gambling and drug dens in Hong Kong that featured arcade machines for betting and offered free illegal drugs to attract customers.
The force said the racket took advantage of the closure of recreational game centres amid the coronavirus pandemic by opening small-scale gambling venues on Hong Kong Island to lure in their customers.
On the illegal premises, the gang offered arcade machines with fishing and shooting games that patrons used for betting.
“The gang also provided free low-quality crystal meth and drug paraphernalia to their customers on the premises,” said Chief Inspector Tse Tsz-kwan, of the Hong Kong Island regional anti-triad squad. “They also helped their clients buy high-quality meth and cannabis.”
In an effort to pocket more money from gamblers, he said, the gang also increased the difficulty of the games so their customers would lose more quickly.