The Police Force's National Security Department arrested two local men and three local women, aged between 32 and 60, in Kowloon and the New Territories yesterday.

They were suspected of committing offences contravening the Public Order Ordinance, for aiding and abetting riot, incitement to riot and conspiracy to incite riot, as well as the offence of sedition under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. They were also suspected of perverting the course of public justice.

Investigations revealed that the arrested people were allegedly involved manufacturing and providing weapons for frontline rioters who participated in multiple riots in late 2019, with the intention of causing serious casualties.

One of the arrested men, aged 34, was also suspected of repeatedly posting seditious posts on his social media platform, which included inciting hatred against the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and encouraging unlawful behavior.

Another arrested woman, aged 50, was suspected of perverting the course of public justice by attempting to assist one of the arrested men in removing evidence related to the case.

During the operation, a total of about $250,000 in cash was seized, believed to be related to the case. The arrested people are being detained for further enquires.

Police stressed that participating in or supporting acts that undermine public peace and endanger national security are serious offences, and that offenders are liable to imprisonment for 10 years and seven years of  respectively upon conviction.