Ten men, aged between 15 and 42,convicted of triad-related offenses, were sentenced to jail ranging from six months to 28 months and detention center at the Hong Kong District Court Tuesday.

The court heard that officers of the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau (OCTB) conducted an undercover operation "Maxwell" to investigate into a triad society active in the Kolwoon West Regionin March 2002.

The operation turned overt in September 2003 resulting in the arrest of over 60 persons.

Ten of the arrested persons were subsequently charged with triad-related offenses including claiming to be a member of a triad society (MOTS) and acting as a MOTS.

The defendants were convicted at the District Court on July 20 this year and sentences were meted out Tuesday.

Six of the defendants were sentenced to imprisonment ranging from six months to 28 months. The four other defendants were sent to rehabilitation center, training center, detention center, and under probation order, respectively.

Source: Xinhua