Kingpin of multiple armed robberies released and deported

Notorious gangster Kwai Ping-hung, dubbed as “king of thieves” was released from jail after 17 years behind bars, and was immediately deported to the United States.

Kwai, once among the city’s most wanted, was arrested by the Special Duties Unit of the Hong Kong police on Christmas Eve back in 2003 after he was suspected of committing 20 armed robberies, as well as shooting and wounding two policemen in Mong Kok in 2001.

At 7:45am this morning, Kwai, accompanied by dozens of plain-clothed officers, left the maximum-security Stanley Prison for the airport.

Came to Hong Kong illegally from the mainland, Kwai has to be deported from the city as he does not have a Hong Kong identity card but a US passport.

But whether Kwai would be walking free from the New York airport remains unclear, as he was suspected of using false information while applying for his US passport.

Kwai’s flight departed Hong Kong just before noon, and was scheduled to land in New York afternoon on Saturday, local time.