Two men from the mainland were apprehended for engaging in an illegal currency exchange transaction on Tuesday, one of whom assaulted a police officer, according to Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Cheong Siu Keong during a regular press conference held yesterday.
The two suspects, surnamed Liu and Zhou, are in their thirties. They claimed to be jobless.
According to Cheong, two police officers were on patrol in a Cotai casino when they spotted Liu and Zhou engaging in an illegal currency exchange deal. Liu and Zhou ran away when the two police officers were approaching. When the officers caught up with the suspects Liu hit one of the officers on the back during a scuffle. The police officers eventually arrested both suspects.
Cheong noted that, under questioning, the suspects admitted to having engaged in illegal currency exchange activities since November, and each had earned a profit of HK$50,000. The police also seized HK$177,000 in cash and chips from them.
Both suspects have been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP), facing charges of illegal currency exchange, while Liu also faces charges of aggravated assault and resisting arrest.
Judiciary Police (PJ) spokesman Cheong Siu Keong looks on during yesterday’s regular press conference. – Photo: Ada Lei
