Four police officers charged by ICAC with MIPO over drugs trafficking investigation
2022-4-14
The ICAC today (April 14) charged a Police Sergeant and three Police Constables with misconduct in public office (MIPO) in relation to fabricating records about a house search in a drugs trafficking criminal investigation.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Upon completion of the investigation, the ICAC sought legal advice from the Department of Justice, which advised charging the four police officers with one count of MIPO, contrary to Common Law.
The defendants are Fung Hau-chung, 45, Police Sergeant; and Lam Yiu-yin, 38; Law Hok-kin, 32; and Ip Ka-ho, 31, all Police Constables. They were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance in the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts next Wednesday (April 20) for mention.
At the material time, the defendants were posted to a District Special Duties Squad of Tuen Mun District. Their major duties were to investigate crimes relating to dangerous drugs, vice activities and illegal gambling in the district.
According to the defendants’ notebook records, witness statements and investigation report, Fung had led the squad, including the three co-defendants, to carry out an anti-dangerous drugs operation in Tuen Mun on the evening of March 14, 2018. A man carrying five bags of ketamine was arrested during the operation and a house search was purportedly conducted at his residence later. On March 15, 2018, the man was charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug.
The four police officers are now charged by the ICAC with one count of MIPO, which alleges that between March 15 and April 3, 2018, the defendants, without reasonable excuse or justification, willfully misconducted themselves in the course of or in relation to their public offices, by making false records of the relevant house search in the course of the above drugs trafficking investigation.
The Police has offered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Upon completion of the investigation, the ICAC sought legal advice from the Department of Justice, which advised charging the four police officers with one count of MIPO, contrary to Common Law.
The defendants are Fung Hau-chung, 45, Police Sergeant; and Lam Yiu-yin, 38; Law Hok-kin, 32; and Ip Ka-ho, 31, all Police Constables. They were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance in the Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts next Wednesday (April 20) for mention.
At the material time, the defendants were posted to a District Special Duties Squad of Tuen Mun District. Their major duties were to investigate crimes relating to dangerous drugs, vice activities and illegal gambling in the district.
According to the defendants’ notebook records, witness statements and investigation report, Fung had led the squad, including the three co-defendants, to carry out an anti-dangerous drugs operation in Tuen Mun on the evening of March 14, 2018. A man carrying five bags of ketamine was arrested during the operation and a house search was purportedly conducted at his residence later. On March 15, 2018, the man was charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug.
The four police officers are now charged by the ICAC with one count of MIPO, which alleges that between March 15 and April 3, 2018, the defendants, without reasonable excuse or justification, willfully misconducted themselves in the course of or in relation to their public offices, by making false records of the relevant house search in the course of the above drugs trafficking investigation.
The Police has offered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation.