Authorities in Hong Kong have arrested 125 people in a major operation against a crime syndicate allegedly controlling the catering services at construction sites and also running illegal gambling.
Triad Ring Smashed as Illegal Gambling Dens Exposed in Hong Kong
Investigators said the group had a firm grip in East Kowloon, where ongoing housing development meant there was always a ready market for cheap meals among construction workers. The syndicate was reported to have driven legitimate food vendors out of the market through intimidation, threats and sabotage, monopolizing the supply of lunchboxes in the area, reported the Hong Kong Free Press.
Those who refused to comply were forced to pay exorbitant “protection” and entry fees to remain in business. Those who refused were allegedly harassed or had their property damaged. Undercover officers working as independent vendors were also targeted, with their equipment damaged after refusing to pay the demanded fees.
The food provided by the group was found to have come from an unlicensed facility in Sai Kung, where about 800 meal boxes were prepared each day. The production environment was not clean and the ingredients’ source was questionable, authorities said. These meals were then distributed and sold directly outside the construction sites, generating significant and steady income.
Police Uncover HKD 64M Laundering Tied to Gambling Network
The catering operation provided a steady stream of income, but police say illegal gambling was a core part of the syndicate’s business. Officers raided four suspected gambling dens and arrested more than 100 people connected to these locations. Those detained included operators, staff, and customers ranging from their early twenties to over 80.
Investigators believe the gambling aspect of the operation was key to the group’s profits. The network is believed to have laundered some HKD 64 million ($8.2 million) through a complex web of accounts in a money-laundering scheme connected with gambling and income from catering in the past three years.
Authorities also seized cash, luxury items, vehicles used for transport and gambling equipment in the raids. The operation has crippled the group’s financial infrastructure and has cut off its major sources of revenue, officials said.
The latest crackdown followed a separate enforcement action in June that targeted illegal betting operations linked to major sporting events, as part of a wider effort to combat illegal gambling throughout the city.
Police have advised residents against engaging in illegal betting and supporting unlicensed businesses, as these activities not only contravene the law but could risk the health and finances of individuals.