Police arrest over 180 in anti-triad operations
Police on Thursday warned that triad activities are becoming increasingly rampant in the northern parts of the New Territories. The force said they’ve arrested more than 180 people since May, for their alleged involvement in activities like drug trafficking, gambling, prostitution, and operating unlicensed bars. Officers said two gangs also took advantage of an increase in construction projects in the area as a result of the Northern Metropolis development. Acting superintendent Wan King-hang said they charged food vendors an “entry fee” if they wanted to sell lunchboxes at a number of construction sites.  “These gangs wanted to monopolise the lunchbox business of these construction sites and use illegal means such as extortion, assault, and criminal damage to drive out other suppliers,” Wan said. “The gangs charge [lunch box suppliers] a one-time entry fee of HK$10,000 and a monthly fee ranging from HK$1,000 to $3,000. They also charge HK$5 for every lunchbox distributed.” He said the gangs can pocket around HK$300,000 a year from a construction site with 200 workers. Officers added that lunchboxes provided by some of the gangs’ controlled suppliers came from unlicensed food manufacturing factories with poor hygiene conditions.