Police arrest 65 people suspected of running illegal gambling hubs

The police bust a syndicate suspected of operating illegal gambling and entertainment facilities in West Kowloon as well as the provision of drugs. At least 65 people have been arrested so far.

Over the past two days, authorities seized large quantities of alcohol, audio products and 360 grams of drugs consisting of cocaine and ketamine with an estimated cost of 190,000 dollars.

The police say the syndicate operated illegal nightclubs at several industrial buildings in Hung Hom, which offer alcohol, drugs as well as hostess services.

Officers arrest 19 men and seven women at three separate units on suspicion of drug possession and trafficking. Another 10 mainland women were suspected of breaching their condition of stay to work as hostesses.

Meanwhile, authorities arrest 21 men and eight women on suspicion of money laundering and other crimes as members of the syndicate were found to have operated three illegal gambling facilities, and were involved with handling over 13 million dollars in criminal proceeds.