The Security Department struck like thunder, with its two key commanders, Zhou Quan and Lau Kit-fai, personally leading the arrests.
Everyone on the list implicated in the case was taken back to the Police Force's Tai Kwun headquarters, regardless of whether they held office in the Governor's administration.
While hands-on officers like Zhou Quan faithfully carried out their duties, the Police Force core management did not hold them back either.
After receiving Lok Ming-wah's report, Number One, Sir Hui, immediately convened a meeting of the Police Force core management, attended by every commissioner-level officer in Tai Kwun.
Even the Assistant Commissioners stationed in the various Police Districts joined by video call.
The matter was serious, and the situation urgent.
No member of the core leadership within Hong Kong Island was permitted to miss the meeting.
Although video conferencing systems were not yet particularly advanced, they were enough to give the Assistant Commissioners away from Tai Kwun a sense of participation.
It was called a meeting, but in reality, Number One made all the decisions himself.
As the man personally chosen by the Motherland to take charge of the Police Force after the handover, Sir Hui's stance was beyond question.
How could Number One possibly tolerate an illicit interest group suspected of threatening Hong Kong Island's peace and stability after the handover?
Before the Police Force core management, Number One issued his instructions directly.
Provided the evidence was sufficient and the actions complied with Hong Kong Island's laws and the Police Force's case-handling regulations, all special matters were to receive special handling.
He personally contacted the Department of Justice and the High Court, preparing to bring everyone implicated to trial as quickly as possible.
As the foremost of Hong Kong Island's Disciplined Services, the Hong Kong Island Police Force did not