【Acrylic Painting by Dennis Tang】
(Paintings and Photos may not be relevant to the incident described)
Yau Ma Tei Fruit market is known as ‘gwo laan’ (果欄) in Cantonese. Gwo laan case is a landmark syndicated corruption case in Hong Kong. In March 1975, a heroin retail syndicate started its operation in Gwo laan. In August 1976, Police Narcotics Bureau conducted search in multiple locations in Hong Kong to seize heroin of high value. Three suspects of the drug case complained about corrupt police officers and seek help from Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
In 1977, ICAC took several actions and detained more than 200 people who were mostly corrupt police officers under arrest of suspicion in receiving bribes. Such actions caused conflicts and massive protest. The Governor Sir Murray MacLehose then issued a ‘partial amnesty’ with the announcement that civil servants who had committed corruption before 1 January, 1977 would not be prosecuted and could be granted amnesty to end the conflict.
In September 1978, the syndicated corruption case was heard. One suspect absconded and 26 others were charged. 18 people were convicted and jailed for 19 months to 5 years.
