Police in Macau stage an armed robbery and bomb threat drill at SJM Resorts Casino
In a significant display of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the gaming industry, Macau hosted the "Wolf Capture 2025" exercise on July 16, 2025. The one-hour joint drill, which took place at the Grand Lisboa Palace in Cotai, involved approximately 209 personnel from six government departments, including the Macau Police, Customs, Public Security Police, Judiciary Police, Fire Services Bureau, and Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), in partnership with SJM Resorts.
The exercise simulated two coordinated crisis incidents linked to SJM properties: a bomb threat and an armed robbery. In the bomb threat scenario, a criminal group claimed to have planted a device in a shopping mall under SJM jurisdiction in Macau's central district. They demanded a ransom of HK$100 million (approximately US$12.7 million) payable in cryptocurrency. SJM Resorts responded promptly by contacting the police to manage the situation, and an on-site command center was established to handle the incident effectively.
The armed robbery scenario unfolded on the casino floor at the Grand Lisboa Palace, where four simulated โcriminalsโ entered, robbing gamblers and guests, pretending to injure people with knives, and barricading themselves in a casino break room. They were portrayed as holding a bomb and two hostages in this location. Law enforcement responded swiftly with special operations units, crisis negotiation teams, and other personnel, who successfully subdued the suspects and resolved the hostage and bomb threat crisis.
The exercise showcased the coordination among multiple police and government agencies, including the deployment of special operations and negotiation teams. The on-site command center played a pivotal role in commanding and managing resources and strategies to capture the suspects and restore security.
The use of cryptocurrency in the ransom demand was a unique aspect of the exercise, underscoring the preparedness for modern criminal tactics in Macau's gaming and tourism sectors. The training mission was considered successful, achieving all its intended objectives through a collaborative multi-agency effort, aimed at enhancing readiness for complex security threats involving casinos and high-profile tourist locations in Macau. The mission concluded with the arrest of the suspects and the restoration of normalcy at the Grand Lisboa Palace.
In the context of General News, the simulated crisis incidents at the Grand Lisboa Palace, a SJM property, demonstrate Macau's dedication to combating Crime and Justice issues, particularly in its casino-and-gambling sector. The exercise, a testament to collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the gaming industry, showcases Macau's readiness for modern criminal tactics, including the use of cryptocurrencies in ransom demands.
