Police arrested more than 3,500 people and seized cash, dangerous drugs and illicit goods, amounting to $380 million in total, during an anti-crime joint operation with Guangdong and Macau counterparts.

Codenamed “THUNDERBOLT 2022”, the tripartite operation was conducted in two phases, from May 20 to July 4 and from September 13 to 30.

During the operation, Hong Kong Police conducted searches with various departments at about 5,500 locations covering bars, amusement game centres, cyber cafes, party rooms and residential units.

A total of 3,581 people, aged between 11 and 94, were arrested for triad-related and drug-related offences, from wounding and arson to trafficking in dangerous drugs and money laundering.

Among the arrestees, 179 were Mainlanders and 277 were non-ethnic Chinese.

Hong Kong Police also seized frozen meat worth over $4 million, as well as dangerous drugs and psychotropic drugs worth about $340 million in total.

The intelligence-led enforcement operation aimed at curbing illegal activities of triad societies and organised crime syndicates, neutralising cross-boundary crimes, and interdicting the criminals’ sources of income.