Police dismantled a triad syndicate, arresting 147 individuals

Police have dismantled a triad syndicate, arresting 147 individuals, including the group's mastermind and core members. Authorities say the operation has successfully broken up the gang's money laundering network.

During the operation, police seized assets including 3.65 million dollars in cash, and items such as luxury watches, drugs, mobile phones, and weapons totalling approximately 1.3 million dollars.

Police conducted raids over two consecutive days starting Friday. The targets include four drug dens, eight gambling dens, one stooge account coordination centre, and one money laundering centre operated by the syndicate.

Police say the syndicate operated through illegal gambling dens and drug dens, where it would acquire bank accounts from drug users and gamblers to facilitate money laundering activities.

Syndicate members would break down cash into smaller amounts and deposit them into various stooge accounts. They would also set up online banking accounts for these individuals, followed by frequent online transfers. Ultimately, the laundered money would be transferred into accounts under the name of the mastermind's relatives.

AU YEUNG TAK, Acting Senior Superintendent Organized Crime and Triad Bureau: "And bank record checks show that between January 2025 and August 2026, the syndicate has used various stooge accounts to launder more than 600 millions crime proceeds."

A total of 93 males and 54 females, aged between 19 and 72 were arrested, of whom 31 have triad affiliations. They are all being held for investigation and will face charges including trafficking dangerous drugs, money laundering, and operating illegal gambling dens.

The police urge everyone to keep their personal information and bank accounts safe, and never give them out in return for rewards.