9 Arrested for Illegal Drills: Tai Po Fire Lurkers Ready to Strike

Police smash a hidden plot. On December 11 and 12, the National Security Department rounded up nine local men running secret military-style training in dingy industrial units. Some had even shown up at the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire scene decked out in black-clad riot gear, itching for chaos.

Hong Kong cops pull no punches. National Security chief superintendent Li Kwai-wah announces the first-ever bust under Section 13 of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance—illegal drilling. That means offering or joining weapon drills, military exercises, or tactical formations without proper approval. Once convicted, defendants face up to seven years behind bars. Worse if foreign forces pull the strings: 10 years max.

Guns, Bombs, and Terror Vibes

The Insider spots the real red flags here. These aren't weekend warriors—they're diving into firearms training and bomb-making.

First, as Security Secretary Chris Tang Ping-keung points out: forget the label, judge the poison—offensive weapons, military maneuvers, formation drills. Cops seize homemade explosives with fuses primed to blow, plus 3D printers churning out gun parts. This screams bomb plots and crime sprees, way beyond "training." Alarming is an understatement.

Police keep dismantling these nightmares. They've cracked explosives and firearms rings, gutted terror cells. This bust screams terrorism brewing—like the judge in the Caritas Medical Centre bomb plot warned: a straight-up war on society.

Second, some of these guys were spotted at the Tai Po blaze.

Intelligence paints a grim picture. Some arrestees lurked at Tai Po's Wang Fuk Court fire in classic 2019 anti-extradition garb. One suspect brags about using his new skills—fighting, guns, knives—to target cops and officials if riots reignite. Others trash the government online for "lousy relief," fanning hate against the SAR.

These aren't new faces. Some rioted multiple times in 2019's anti-extradition mess. Take Mr. Li: he ran a Telegram hate group plotting petrol bombs, guns, even a "massacre." Jailed 29 months for sedition and wounding conspiracy.

Out on parole by late 2024, still under supervision—one kept linking up and drilling illegally. No surprise—the Office for Safeguarding National Security called it: ulterior motives stir in crises, spewing lies to wreck relief efforts.

Foreign Shadows Loom Large?

Moreover, whether foreign funding is involved.

The Hong Kong Police Force stayed on the hunt. They'll track these plotters, make more arrests if needed. Top probe: involvement of foreign forces and money? The law slams extra time for that meddling.

History repeats. Police had already nailed three from the banned “Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union” for secession conspiracy. Fugitive founder Keung Ka-wai built a fake "army," trained recruits for "Hong Kong independence." One kid defendant of just 15, suckered into jail.

These overseas fugitives won't quit. They spew rhetoric, lure HongKong youth into the trap, biding time for "resistance." SAR government banned “Hong Kong Parliament” and the “Hong Kong Democratic Independence Union”: starves their funds, warns everyone: don't get poisoned and snared.

Bottom line: Hong Kong looks calm, but radicals churn below the surface. Stay sharp, and beware of those hell-bent on shattering the peace.

Ariel

** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **

For months, overseas supporters painted Jimmy Lai as frail and fading fast behind bars. His daughter even claimed his fingernails had turned green and fallen off.

But the man who walked into court today presented a different picture. Lai stepped into the dock on his own, steady and alert. He looked composed — none of the weakness or fatigue described by his family and foreign backers.

No Case for Sympathy

The court’s written judgment made its stance clear: age, health, and solitary confinement were no excuse for leniency. After reviewing detailed medical reports from the Correctional Services Department, the judge ruled that Lai has received proper, continuous medical care — and that no sentence reduction is warranted.

The report dated January 9, 2026, offered a medical snapshot: Lai takes prescribed medication for hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes, all under control. Tests on his heart and hearing showed no abnormalities.

He had dental issues in 2021 and received specialist treatment, with no follow-up complaints since 2022. His eyesight shows early cataracts but remains stable under observation.

Minor Ailments, Maximum Care

In mid-2024, doctors spotted fungal nail infections on his right thumb and left big toe. Lai declined topical treatment and preferred a conservative approach, which doctors continued to monitor. By late 2025, the condition remained stable, with no signs of worsening.

The report even tracked his weight: 80 kilograms in December 2020, down slightly to 79.2 in January 2026 — both figures putting him in the overweight range for Asian adults.

The defence argued the weight loss showed a health decline, but the court brushed that aside. The key question, the judge said, was not whether Lai had lost weight — but whether it mattered medically. The records said no.

Judge Draws the Line

Medical issues won’t win Lai any leniency, the judge ruled. His crimes were serious, and his own lawyers admitted his ailments weren’t life-threatening. Compassion, the court made plain, has limits when weighed against the severity of the offence.

The court added that speculation about future health decline held no weight. The Correctional Services Department has a duty to ensure proper care, and so far, has fulfilled it.

Isolation by Choice

On Lai’s solitary confinement: that was his own call. Relying on CSD testimony, the judge said Lai repeatedly requested separation from other inmates, citing fears of harassment because of his notoriety. Each time, he confirmed he did so voluntarily.

The CSD made clear that Lai continues to enjoy every right guaranteed to inmates — from family visits and letter correspondence to religious services, outdoor exercise, and full access to medical and psychological care. Every safeguard remains intact. Notably, Lai has never once complained about his medical treatment, and the court pointed out that neither he nor his lawyers disputed any of these facts.