Hong Kong police arrested the founder of a banned pro-independence group during a raid on an industrial building on Thursday while in a separate operation, a family of three was detained after dozens of smoke bombs were found in their home. Andy Chan Ho-tin, founder of the outlawed Hong Kong National Party, was among eight arrested in Haribest Industrial Building on Au Pui Wan Street in Sha Tin. The group comprised seven men and a woman, who were all detained on suspicion of possession of offensive weapons. According to Chan’s lawyer, no charges have been formally laid, as of Friday morning. In a statement released through his lawyer, Chan said: “Have no fear for white terror, do not be afraid of being arrested. There is only the path forward, there is no turning back.” At Sha Tin Police Station, an angry crowd, who thought the suspects were brought there, later gathered to call for their release. The crowd chanted: “Free the martyrs!” They hurled verbal abuse at officers in riot gear guarding the gate, and also threw eggs at the building, blocking exits with barricades. At midnight, the crowd, numbering about 100 people, was still at the station. By 1am on Friday, some turned their attention to Ma On Shan Police Station after learning those arrested were sent there. They shouted and vandalised installations at the station while also calling for the release of those arrested. Meanwhile, earlier in the day, officers from the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau raided a flat in Shui Moon House at Tin Shui Estate and seized 30 smoke bombs. Eddie Chu ‘received death threats from triads’ amid row with rival But police said it was unclear if the case was related to a previous incident in which fireworks from a car were let off at protesters outside the district’s police station. Some partially completed bombs and materials such as potassium nitrate and related tools were also found. A mother, along with her son and daughter, were arrested for possession of explosives without a licence. The trio were aged 23 to 47. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau would examine the items, Superintendent Yeung Yiu-chung from the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau said. “Whether they are related to [the earlier incident], we will still need to investigate. We can’t tell now,” Yeung said, adding police would look into the family’s motives and source of materials. Trio arrested over biggest bomb plot includes independence group members In the small hours of Wednesday morning, protesters had gathered outside Tin Shui Wai Police Station after two people were arrested over a fight at a Lennon Wall, one of many across the city adorned with Post-it notes and messages of support for extradition bill demonstrators. Six people were injured in that incident.