Police and Food & Environmental Hygiene officers have arrested seven men and five women in an anti-triad operation at a Penny's Bay construction site where they sold lunch boxes illegally.

Acting on complaints, officers today intercepted five vans at about 10.30am and arrested the 12, aged 18 to 46, as they started business at the site.

Police seized 47 lunch boxes, two sets of forged vehicle plates, two iron bars, and a hammer.

The 12 were arrested for claiming to be and acting as a member of a triad society, dangerous driving, possession of offensive weapons, criminal intimidation, criminal damage, and hawking without a licence. They have been detained for enquiries.