Hong Kong teens are at risk of being bribed to help triads
Gangs may be offering teenagers free food, drinks and entertainment for their help with criminal activities
Some of the arrested were suspected of bribing teenagers to get them to help with gang activities.Officers have arrested 76 people in an anti-triad operation in Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai. Some of those arrested at the weekend were suspected of bribing teenagers to get them to help with gang activities.
The police operation, code-named “Skyage”, began in June and was organised by the Yuen Long Police Anti-Triad Squad and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Police took action on September 1 and 2, arresting 47 men and 29 women – some as young as 16. They were arrested and charged with: “claiming to be a member of a triad society”, “inviting another person to become members of a triad society”, “trafficking dangerous drugs”, “possession of an offensive weapon”, “unlicensed selling of alcoholic beverages” and “unauthorised possession of alcoholic beverages for trafficking purposes”.
During the operation, police officers seized six metal tubes, six long knives, three extendable batons with lights, about 100 bottles of beer, and small amounts of illegal drugs; including heroin, cannabis and methamphetamine (also known as “ice”).
According to police, triad groups have been recruiting youngsters during the summer to join and participate in organised crime by providing free food, drinks and entertainment in bars, internet cafes and gaming arcades in the Yuen Long area.
Police believe that their recent operation has weakened the influence and revenue streams of the Yuen Long-based triads.
The police operation is still underway, and further arrests have not been ruled out.