Lee Tai-lung, one suspect involved in the slaying of a local triad boss, takes part in a crime-scene reconstruction outside the Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui East Friday. China Daily

HONG KONG: Eighteen people have been arrested in connection with the slaying of triad leader Lee Tai-lung outside the Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel in Tsui Sha Tsui last month.

The 17 men and one woman were detained by the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau after a city-wide operation that began a month ago.

Those arrested range in age between 19 and 48. Police believe some of those in custody were directly involved in Lee's death. Police still are hunting for other suspects.

The suspects already picked up in the case have taken part in a crime-scene reconstruction.

The 41-year-old Lee, said to be the Tsim Sha Tsui faction leader of Sun Yee On triad gang, was killed in front of the entrance to the hotel on August 4.

Lee first was knocked to the ground by a seven-passenger van, as he stepped from his car at the front entrance of the hotel. Three men jumped out of a second vehicle and attacked Lee with knives.

Lee was certified dead later.

Police Organized Crime and Triad Bureau superintendent Cheng Fuk-chuen said the police did not rule out the possibility that Lee's slaying was related to a gangland dispute.

"All of those arrested have triad background. We do not rule out that it is related to a gangster fight and conflict. This is our investigation focus," he said. "We have grabbed the clues for some core people behind the attack."

Media reports say at least five people took part in the attack, described as a well-organized professional hit.

Lee's attackers wore caps to cover their faces. The two vehicles involved were found later in Tai Po, gutted by fire.

The media also reported that the slaying bore the hallmarks of a Wo Shing Wo hit. Lee had been suspected in two attacks on high-profile members of the Wo Shing Wo triad. The dispute was said to center on which group was to control prostitution, drugs and the protection business, the reports said.

China Daily

(HK Edition 09/12/2009 page1)