2 bomb hoaxes reported in one day amid crisis

Threats of explosives continue to haunt Hong Kong as police reported two bomb hoaxes on the metro system within three hours on Wednesday morning, bringing the total number of such cases in this month to at least three.

In January, four homemade-bomb attacks and 15 bomb hoaxes were reported — more than one case every other day on average. No injuries or arrests were reported.

Online posts have said that bombs have been placed in major transportation facilities to protest the government's handling of the epidemic.

The first hoax reported on Wednesday was a suspicious package located on train tracks between Tai Po Market and Tai Wo on the East Rail Line. A black shoebox was wrapped in adhesive tape with the words "Hong Kong National Independence Party" written on it. The second fake bomb, a white cardboard box with electrical wires sticking out of it, was found on a street outside Sha Tin Wai station of the Ma On Shan Line.

Both cases were classified as bomb hoaxes, which is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment and a fine of HK$150,000 (US$19,300).

In a statement, the police strongly condemned lawbreakers who deliberately place suspicious objects in public areas, stressing that if not handled with caution, such antics could lead to dire consequences.

Also on Wednesday, police arrested four more people related to their investigation into an online fundraising platform for anti-government protests.

The arrests follow police's cracking an alleged money-laundering syndicate, Spark Alliance, in December, when four people were arrested and HK$70 million was frozen.

Following the investigation, police said at a news briefing on Wednesday afternoon that they found an unusual transaction made during the October-November period between a shell company owned by the group and an 18-year-old unemployed male. The transaction was worth HK$48,000.

The man is suspected of drug trafficking, with dubious bank activities detected in his account, said Superintendents Raymond Chou (Operations). Police arrested the man in Sham Shui Po on Tuesday night on suspicion of trafficking in dangerous drugs and money laundering.

Three suspected drug buyers were arrested on suspicion of possessing dangerous drugs in connection with that case. Police seized drugs worth HK$8,000 during the operation.