Police arrested eight men and a woman, aged 16 to 38, during an anti-extortion operation in Tsuen Wan and Tsing Yi yesterday.

Police investigations revealed that a number of triad gangs had been extorting protection fees from hawkers in Cheung Fat Estate, Tsing Yi.

Detectives from the Regional Anti-triad Unit of New Territories South disguised themselves as hawkers to gather evidence in an operation that began last November.

Yesterday morning, the detectives raided seven premises in Tsuen Wan and Tsing Yi.

Officers arrested eight men and a woman for triad-related offences, including blackmail, criminal damage and criminal intimidation.

Police are detaining them for further enquiries.