Hong Kong triad mastermind among five arrested in police crackdown on drugs syndicate

The alleged triad mastermind and four core members of a drug trafficking ring that recruited youths to act as couriers and laundered HK$220 million over the past 10 years were arrested in a series of police raids on Wednesday morning.

The 59-year-old, believed to be a Sun Yee On triad faction leader, had hired more than 60 youngsters, one aged just 13, over the past two years. Officers picked him up at his Kwun Tong home at about 7am.

Three other arrested men were said to hold the rank of “red-pole fighter” – a senior triad member who acts as an enforcer.

The fifth suspect was a Hong Kong woman in her forties. Her husband, also a red-pole fighter, is still on the run.

“Initial investigations showed that over the past few years, the gang used seven bank accounts and a {Jockey Club} account to launder HK$220 million in drug and other criminal proceeds,” said Chief Inspector Lam Cheuk-ho of Kowloon East regional crime unit.

He said police were still chasing the source of the money and collecting evidence.

Officers believe some of the money was amassed through extortion.