The illegal food processing factory in Sai Kung Photos: HKPF
Hong Kong Police’s Organised Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) conducted a two-day joint operation codenamed “SharpNeedle” on 3 – 4 July, cracking down on a construction site lunchbox syndicate controlled and monopolised by a triad. The operation also dismantled its unlicensed food factory in Sai Kung and a gambling den, resulting in the arrest of 125 people, including the ringleader and key members. It is understood that the arrested ringleader is a member of the “Wo Shing Wo” triad.
During the operation, officers disguised themselves as lunchbox suppliers and set up stalls. They were harassed, intimidated, and had their belongings damaged by members of the syndicate. They were also extorted for a one-time “connection fee” of HK$70,000 and a monthly “monthly fee” of HK$3,000 to increase their illegal income. The investigation also revealed that the syndicate’s monthly turnover from selling lunchboxes could reach HK$1 million, which translates to nearly HK$12 million in annual profits.
During the operation, officers raided an unlicensed food manufacturing plant, four unlicensed hawker stalls, and four illegal gambling dens controlled by the triad syndicate, arresting a total of 125 people, including 48 men and 77 women (aged 22 to 81). Among them were four masterminds and key members of the triad syndicate, as well as five employees.
The arrested individuals are suspected of committing offenses including “claiming to be a triad member,” “extortion,” “criminal intimidation,” “criminal damage,” “money laundering,” “operating an unlicensed restaurant,” “unlicensed peddling,” “operating an illegal gambling establishment,” and “gambling in an illegal gambling establishment.” Police also seized approximately HK$4 million worth of evidence, including over HK$500,000 in cash, five luxury watches worth a total of HK$1.2 million, two trucks used for transporting lunchboxes worth a total of HK$600,000, and gambling paraphernalia worth approximately HK$1.7 million.
To reduce operating costs, the group’s mastermind built a tin shack in Sai Kung as an unlicensed food manufacturing factory, which was managed by his girlfriend. Local workers were hired to process ingredients of unknown origin with rudimentary equipment in unsanitary conditions, making lunchboxes for sale.
In addition, police, together with officers from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, raided an unlicensed food manufacturing plant in Sai Kung on the same day, arresting a 53-year-old local woman on suspicion of “money laundering” and “operating a restaurant without a license.” A 41-year-old local man was also arrested on suspicion of “criminal intimidation.” Police subsequently arrested another 49-year-old local man in Sai Kung on suspicion of “claiming to be a triad member” and “criminal intimidation.” All three arrested individuals are considered core members of the syndicate.
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