The Judiciary Police busted an illegal currency exchange den and nabbed two local residents on Wednesday in a case involving HK$190 million, PJ spokesman Chao Teng Hin said during a special press conference yesterday.
Chao identified the suspects as a 30-year-old man surnamed Chan and a 29-year-old woman surnamed Lo who told police that they work in sales.
In November, according to Chao, the Judiciary Police received a report alleging that illegal currency exchange activities were being conducted at a jewellery shop in a casino hotel in Cotai. Following an investigation, PJ officers took action on Wednesday, Chao said.
Monitoring the shop, PJ officers saw two mainlanders engaging in an illegal currency exchange deal with two salespeople, Chan and Lo, after which both customers used the cash to gamble in the casino.
PJ officers subsequently apprehended Chan and Lo, seizing around HK$ 840,000 and 9,600 yuan in cash, two mobile phones and a cash-counting machine in the shop, PJ officers also seized gambling chips worth HK$500 from the two gamblers.
According to Chao, during questioning, they admitted that they were employed by the jewellery shop on a fixed salary basis, and one of their duties was to conduct illegal currency exchanges for gamblers. The investigation revealed that the shop had been operating since August last year and had been engaged in illegal currency exchange activities since at least July this year, according to Chao.
Chao said the estimated amount involved in the case exceeds HK$190 million, generating a profit of more than HK$5.8 million.
Chan and Lo have been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP), each facing an illegal currency exchange charge.
Judiciary Police (PJ) officers escort the two hooded suspects from the PJ headquarters in Zape to a van yesterday. – Photos: Armindo Neves
Evidence seized from the jewellery shop in a casino hotel in Cotai is displayed during yesterday’s special press conference at the Judiciary Police (PJ) headquarters in Zape.
