In a sweeping two-month operation targeting organized crime, Hong Kong police have arrested more than 4,300 individuals and confiscated illegal drugs worth HK$768 million (US$98.5 million), authorities announced Friday.
The operation, code-named “Thunderbolt 2024,” was a joint effort with law enforcement agencies in Macau and Guangdong province. It involved raids on approximately 2,300 locations, including gambling dens, vice establishments, and unlicensed pubs between June 22 and August 15.
Police seized a substantial quantity of illegal items, including gambling paraphernalia and weapons. Suspected criminal proceeds valued at HK$38 million were also confiscated. The drug haul, estimated at HK$730 million, included cocaine, cannabis, ketamine, crystal meth, and heroin.
In a notable bust, narcotics bureau officers made the largest cocaine seizure of the year, recovering HK$300 million worth of the drug from a residential flat in Yuen Long last month. A 22-year-old man was arrested in connection with this raid.
The 4,320 individuals arrested, ranging in age from 12 to 72, face charges including drug trafficking, money laundering, weapons possession, claiming triad membership, and operating illegal establishments. Among those apprehended were 778 mainland Chinese and 431 non-Chinese residents.
“This operation aimed to curb triad activities, combat cross-boundary crimes, and interdict illegal income sources,” a police spokesperson stated. The annual operation typically precedes the July 1 anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover to China.
Hong Kong’s organized crime and triad bureau coordinated the local efforts, with support from all six regional police units. Authorities emphasized their commitment to maintaining close communication with mainland China and Macau counterparts to combat cross-border triad syndicates.
The crackdown comes as Hong Kong grapples with a rise in violent crime. The first half of 2024 saw 5,156 reported cases, an 8.3% increase from the same period in 2023.
In response to rising crime rates, Hong Kong has expanded its surveillance network. Fifteen sets of cameras were installed in Mong Kok in March, with plans to have 2,000 in place by year-end. An additional 13 sets were recently deployed in the Western district, home to the central government’s liaison office.
As “Thunderbolt 2024” concludes, Hong Kong police reaffirm their dedication to combating organized crime and maintaining public safety, signaling continued efforts to address the complex challenges posed by transnational criminal networks.
