The police said that after in-depth investigations, officers from the Special Duty Team of the Tai Po Police District raided two units on Xin Kan Street in Sheung Shui yesterday afternoon (December 28) and successfully smashed two illegal mahjong stalls.
During the operation, officers arrested a 64-year-old female person in charge and a 52-year-old female person in charge in the two units, suspected of "operating a gambling establishment."
In addition, a total of 11 local men and 5 local women aged between 43 and 67 in the above two premises were also arrested on suspicion of "gambling in a gambling establishment".
(police picture)
After investigation, the 64-year-old female person in charge has been provisionally charged with one count of "operating a gambling establishment", and 8 local men and 4 local women have also been provisionally charged with one count of "gambling in a gambling establishment". The case will be brought up in Fanling Magistrates' Courts on January 13, 2023.
The remaining arrested persons have been released on bail pending investigation and must report to the police in mid-January 2023.
During the operation, the police seized 3 electric mahjong tables, 6 sets of mahjong, a batch of furniture and about 8,200 yuan in cash.
According to the "Gambling Ordinance" Chapter 148 of the Laws of Hong Kong, "operating a gambling establishment" and "gambling in a gambling establishment" are serious crimes. The former is liable to a fine of 5 million yuan and imprisonment for 7 years. The penalty is a fine of $30,000 and imprisonment for 9 months.
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