Police have arrested seven men for extorting vegetable retailers and hawkers in Yuen Long. They appeal to anyone whom the gang has extorted or who has information to contact the investigating officers at 2473 8354.

Yuen Long District Anti-triad Squad officers, with the help of Yuen Long District Crime Headquarters, received complaints that a triad gang had extorted vegetable retailers and hawkers at Hop Choi Street and Tin Kwong Hui Vegetable Wholesale Market at Nam Sang Wai, Yuen Long.

The gang collected labour fees and weighing fees from the retailers and the stall owners at Hop Choi Street by using the name of "Yuen Long Vegetable Union".

They also forced the retailers and owners of the stalls to move to Tin Kwong Hui Vegetable Market at Nam Sang Wai between September 2003 and May 2004 by threatening them with criminal damage or setting fire to their stalls. The Union was therefore able to collect security fees and rents from these retailers and owners.

42-year-old mastermind arrested

Police successfully identified and arrested a 42-year-old man who was one of the gang's masterminds and six other members, aged 17 to 56, for criminal intimidation and blackmail.

Police also raided the offices of the "Yuen Long Vegetable Union" at Hop Choi Street and Nam Sang Wai and seized some account books and receipts.