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HONG KONG, Jun 23, 2000 -- (Reuters) Hong Kong's anti-graft watchdog agency said it arrested 16 people, including two police officers, in connection with illegal bookmaking on horse racing in the territory and neighboring Macau.
The Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC) said that late on Thursday 150 officers raided 28 premises across the territory the previous evening, a horse racing night in Hong Kong.
The raids also netted HK$4 million (US$512,800).
The 16 people arrested included two former police officers, an actress, two horse owners, two present and former bank employees and seven civilians.
"Some of the (illegal bookmaking) syndicates operated in Hong Kong were allegedly operated and protected by serving and former police officers," the ICAC said.
These officers were a senior superintendent and a detective senior constable and two officers who recently resigned - a former senior superintendent and a former detective sergeant.
"Since investigations revealed that a number of bookmaking syndicates in Hong Kong and in Macau were closely associated, simultaneous operations were mounted by the two authorities," the ICAC said.
Three men, including the senior superintendent who was suspected to be the operator, were arrested at premises where illegal bookmaking activities were conducted, the ICAC said.
The ICAC said five of the 16 had been released on bail while the others were still detained pending further inquiries.
Horse racing is a huge industry in Hong Kong, where the Jockey Club controls all legal betting. The club's betting turnover for the year ending June 30, 1999, reached HK$81.3 billion
The Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC) said that late on Thursday 150 officers raided 28 premises across the territory the previous evening, a horse racing night in Hong Kong.
The raids also netted HK$4 million (US$512,800).
The 16 people arrested included two former police officers, an actress, two horse owners, two present and former bank employees and seven civilians.
"Some of the (illegal bookmaking) syndicates operated in Hong Kong were allegedly operated and protected by serving and former police officers," the ICAC said.
These officers were a senior superintendent and a detective senior constable and two officers who recently resigned - a former senior superintendent and a former detective sergeant.
"Since investigations revealed that a number of bookmaking syndicates in Hong Kong and in Macau were closely associated, simultaneous operations were mounted by the two authorities," the ICAC said.
Three men, including the senior superintendent who was suspected to be the operator, were arrested at premises where illegal bookmaking activities were conducted, the ICAC said.
The ICAC said five of the 16 had been released on bail while the others were still detained pending further inquiries.
Horse racing is a huge industry in Hong Kong, where the Jockey Club controls all legal betting. The club's betting turnover for the year ending June 30, 1999, reached HK$81.3 billion