Police on Saturday arrested 58 people in a city-wide, anti-triad operation, disrupting gang networks exploiting the youth.

The suspects rounded up include core gang members as well as those aged below 18. They are alleged to have committed a series of offenses, including claiming to be triad members, inviting another person to become a triad member, false imprisonment and money laundering.

Chief inspector Chan Pak-ki said the arrests came after undercover officers infiltrated two triad groups amid a rise in youth crimes early this year.

“We found that these triad groups would obtain the youths' trust first. They might carry out simple initiation ceremonies," she said.

"After obtaining their trust, they lured them, through false promises that there was quick money to be made, into carrying out a lot of illegal acts.”

The force also busted a number of illegal gambling and drug dens.

Chan did not rule out further arrests, adding that the operation was still ongoing.




Edited by Azam Khan