Hong Kong police have arrested nine people in connection with two burglaries at a farm in Tin Shui Wai, with some of the stolen items already pawned in Macau and the total losses exceeding HK$2.7 million (US$344,500) in cash, watches, jewellery and gold.

Senior Inspector Lam Ka-kit of Yuen Long district’s crime squad said the suspects, comprising eight men and a woman, allegedly belonged to a syndicate, with each member assigned a detailed role in the burglaries.

“The force believes that some masterminds and accomplices of this case are still on the run, and are endeavouring to track them down. We do not exclude the possibility of more arrests,” he said.

The nine arrestees were linked to two burglaries at the 30-year-old freshwater fish and poultry farm in Tin Shui Wai, with the first taking place on May 23 and the second occurring last Friday.

The first burglary was discovered at around midnight on May 23 when a farmworker was alerted by a loud noise. The employee then discovered the gate to the property had been left open and saw a private car driving away from the scene.

The worker also found that a safe containing HK$50,000 in cash and two watches had been moved from its original position inside an office housed in a cargo container.

“We believe that since the thieves had startled farm staff during their act, the safe was not damaged and no property was lost then,” Lam said.