The Police Organised Crime & Triad Bureau has dealt a blow to triad activities following the arrest of 1,616 people and seizure of $2 million from triad-run activities proceeds in an 11-day operation.

The bureau's Chief Superintendent Fung Kin-man today said the crackdown began following detailed planning and exchange of intelligence with Guangdong and Macau law-enforcement agencies.

He said with the close co-operation and effective exchange of intelligence among the Hong Kong Police and their counterparts, the blitz was completed successfully this morning.

Intelligence exchange successful

Mr Fung said the operation was aimed at combatting organised crimes including triad and vice activities, illegal gambling and bookmaking, contraband cigarettes, unmarked oil, dangerous drugs, pornographic and pirated optical discs to deal a severe blow to triads' financial sources.

The officers raided 1,990 locations including discos, games centres, massage establishments and residential units, resulting in the closure of 31 vice establishments, 30 gambling dens, nine smoking divans and 61 pirated disc centres while 763 men and 853 women were arrested.

During the operation, the officers seized about 123 grams of heroin, 212 Ecstasy tablets, 180 grams of "ICE", 104 midazolam tablets, 70 grams of Ketamine, five grams of cannabis and four grams of cocaine, as well as over 30 offensive weapons including a handgun and some knives.

$11m betting slips seized

About $11 million worth of betting slips suspected to be connected with illegal gambling, more than 159,000 obscene or pirated optical discs, 3,000 litres of illicit oil and 4.51 million of sticks of dutiable cigarettes were also seized.

Mr Fung reiterated co-operation in the past showed joint operations were the most effective way to tackle crimes committed by triad members, adding Police of the three places are determined and have the ability to jointly combat triad activities.