On June 7, a NPA representative, Mr Kazuki Goto, paid a courtesy visit to Police Headquarters to present a Certificate of Appreciation to Assistant Commissioner (Crime) Lo Yik-kee in recognition of the outstanding detective work and exemplary contributions by 10 officers of NB's Financial Investigations Division.

In 2003, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department initiated an investigation against a loan sharking network of Goryo-kai, which was a faction of Yamaguchi-Gumi. The syndicate purchased huge amount of bearer bonds worth at least 9 billion Japanese Yen (HK$ 0.64 billion) in Japan, which were soon after redeemed and laundered by wire transfer into the syndicate's accounts in Hong Kong or other overseas countries. The financial investigators of the Force joined the investigation in late 2003, and their untiring efforts led to valuable clues and evidence to assist in the investigation and prosecution. Subsequently, four core Goryo-kai members were jailed up to seven years and fined 300 million Yen.

"I am most honoured to have an opportunity here to present the Certificate of Appreciation to thank you for your unprecedented level of co-operation with the NPA. The level of support and co-operation given to it was among the best of any foreign agencies to date. The financial investigators of Hong Kong Police have actively co-operated in our investigation to acquire corroborating evidence in Hong Kong. We attribute our success to your self-devoted assistances, especially officers in NB's Financial Investigations Division. We owe you a debt of gratitude for your services," said Mr Goto at the presentation ceremony.

Mr Lo said that the case once again demonstrated the importance of international co-operation in combating money laundering and it was also a clear evidence that the HKP is committed to working in partnership with international law enforcement agencies to combat money laundering activities in both Hong Kong and abroad.

Assistant Commissioner (Crime) Lo Yik-kee (left) receives the Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of Narcotics Bureau's Financial Investigations Division