Ng Sik-ho

Ng Sik-ho (traditional Chinese: 吳錫豪; simplified Chinese: 吴锡豪; pinyin: Wú Xī-háo; Jyutping: Ng4 Sik3-hou4, 1930 – September 8, 1991), also known as "Crippled Ho" or "Limpy Ho" (Chinese: 跛豪; pinyin: Bǒ Háo; Jyutping: Bo2 Hou4) was a prominent Hong Kong drug lord and triad boss.

Ng Sik-ho
吳錫豪
Born1930 (1930)
Shantou, Guangdong, Republic of China
DiedSeptember 8, 1991(1991-09-08) (aged 61)
Queen Mary Hospital, British Hong Kong
Other namesCrippled Ho
Limpy Ho
Spouse(s)Cheng Yuet-ying
Capture status
Arrested
Details
Span of crimes
1967–1974
CountryBritish Hong Kong
Date apprehended
12 November 1974
Ng Sik-ho
Traditional Chinese吳錫豪
Simplified Chinese吴锡豪

Biography

Ng, born in 1930, was of Teochew origin. Ng earned his nickname of "Crippled Ho" or "Limpy Ho" following a leg injury sustained in a street fight.[1][2] He sneaked to Hong Kong from Mainland China during the Great Chinese Famine in the 1960s.

From as early as 1967, Ng was involved in the illicit trade of opium and morphine. He was married to Cheng Yuet-ying (traditional Chinese: 鄭月英; simplified Chinese: 郑月英; pinyin: Zhèng Yuè Yīng; Jyutping: Zeng6 Jyut6-jing1), who was also involved in the drug trade.[3] Ng built a drug empire that, at the time of his arrest, was said to have covered Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Britain and America.[2]

Ng was arrested in 12 November 1974 on charges of smuggling 20 tonnes of opium and morphine from Thailand and other countries into Hong Kong. Nicknamed "Mr. Big" by the media, Ng was convicted in May 1975 to 30 years of imprisonment, the longest sentence ever imposed by a Hong Kong court at that time.[2][4][5][6] His wife was subsequently arrested and was convicted on 23 February to 16 years imprisonment and was fined 1 million yuan.

Ng became a key witness in the case against Ma Sik-chun, Ng's former associate[4] who was facing charges of heroin and opium trafficking.[1][7]

Ng became a Buddhist while in jail. In April 1991, his sentenced was reduced by the Governor of Hong Kong by four and a half year, and was scheduled to be released at the end of the year. In July, Ng was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, and it was estimated that he would live no more than 6 weeks. His sentence was then further reduced.[6]

On 14 August 1991, after serving 16 years in jail, Ng was released on medical grounds . He was moved to a guarded hospital cell to a ward at the Queen Mary Hospital. He died a few weeks later on September 8, 1991 at age 61. His wife was eventually released from prison in 1992.[2][8]

Media portrayals

Ng Sik-ho's story has been adapted multiple times in Hong Kong cinema, and he served as a popular trope in Triad films.[9][10] Fictional portrayals inspired by or involved Ng includes:

References
  1. Gough, Neil (2014-04-14). "Arrest Order for Fugitive Hong Kong Tycoon Reaffirmed". Sinosphere Blog. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  2. Choi, Martin (2018-11-16). "When Hong Kong's most notorious drug lord Limpy Ho, 'the biggest Mr Big', was caught". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 2020-05-18. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  3. "跛豪集團販毒疑案今晨在高院審訊吳錫豪出庭時仍笑容滿臉" [The case of Limpy Ho's drug cartel heard at the High Court this morning; Ng Sik-ho still went to court with a smile]. The Kung Sheung Evening News (in Chinese). Hong Kong: Industrial and Commercial Daily Press. 1975-04-14. p. 1.
  4. "ACAN in the 21st Century - A Continuing Challenge" (PDF). Narcotics Division, Security Bureau. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  5. "The hunt for Asia's El Chapo". Reuters. 2019-10-14. Archived from the original on 2020-05-18. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  6. "僅獲釋三週一代梟雄跛豪逝世" [Only released for three weeks, drug lord Limpy Ho has passed away]. Wah Kiu Yat Po (in Chinese). Hong Kong: Wah Kiu Yat Po. 1991-09-09. p. 4.
  7. Boggan, Steve (1998-01-20). "Tory Scandal: An Oriental family tale of drugs, corruption and exile". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2020-05-18. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  8. "跛豪獲釋暢談感受富貴由天生死有命" [Limpy Ho released and talked about his experiences; "Wealth is decided by the heavens; Life and death by fate"]. Wah Kiu Yat Po (in Chinese). Hong Kong: Wah Kiu Yat Po. 1991-08-15. p. 1.
  9. "Chasing that dragon". Week In China. 2017-10-06. Archived from the original on 2020-05-18. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  10. Vesia, Michael. "The Gangster as Hero in Hong Kong Cinema". Offscreen. Archived from the original on 2020-05-18. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
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