Police have arrested 82 people in a Hong Kong-wide anti-triad operation.

Officers raided discos, nightclubs and game centres in Causeway Bay, Mong Kok, Yuen Long and Tuen Mun yesterday.

The raids aimed to hinder triad income from vice and gambling establishments, drug activities, monopolising minibus routes and to deter extortion of shops and hawkers during the Lunar New Year holiday.

The 79 men and three women, aged 14 to 59, were arrested for blackmail, intimidation, damage, drug trafficking, weapon possession and triad-related offences. Ten knives, drugs and more than 1,000 pirated discs were seized.