Guangdong police on Wednesday revealed that "Operation Winter Days" had smashed a total of six cross-border gangs and 17 triads, and detained four suspects from Taiwan and six from Hong Kong who had been on Hong Kong police's most wanted lists for years.

The special month-long operation in November targeted cross-border crimes, in particular drug trafficking. Kidnapping, cross-border prostitution, document forging and computer network crimes were also a focus of the campaign.

Before the operation was launched, senior police officers from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao held several joint work conferences to exchange information and suspect lists, according to Xiao Shengxian, a police officer from Guangdong Provincial Bureau of Public Security yesterday.

Police from the three regions also set up a 24-hour hotline to receive information, he said.

The operation took place in eight cities in the Pearl River Delta, which borders Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. It dealt a heavy blow to local gangs and organized crime rings that were active in the three areas, Xiao said.

"It has also helped ensure a good and sound social order for economic construction," he said.

Shenzhen police smashed four major cross-border drug production and trafficking rings. Many suspects were detained, including a Hong Kong permanent resident surnamed Lau who is suspected to be the leader of a drug gang.

A total of 263 kilograms of cocaine, 43 kilograms of ice or methamphetamine plus two pistols and many raw materials, were seized from the groups last month.

An international drug trafficking channel that was formerly active in the southern Chinese region was believed to have been busted, Xiao said.

"The crackdown on the four drug-related cases further shows the successful cooperation among police from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao and their firm determination in fighting cross-border crimes in recent years," Xiao said.

Guangzhou police also successfully busted a weapon sales gang, detaining 11 suspects and seizing 15 pistols during the campaign. A major illegal casino was also closed down in the city's Huadu District.

(China Daily December 8, 2005)