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1.
Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Illicit
Traffic in the Far East Region, 1973
Inaccuracies in the Hong Kong Section.
Para. 65.
The first sentence conveys the impression that there is not much opium smoking; in fact there is plenty (1,040 were convicted for opium offences during November 1973) and it is not confined to old people by any means, if by 'old' over 50 is the rough yardstick.
2.
No opium smokers have been registered in Hong Kong since the end of World War II. From 25th December 1941 to that time Hong Kong was occupied by the Japanese. I don't know from where the figure of 40,000 registered opium smokers in 1946 was obtained in the second sentence. The last year it could refer to I believe is 1940.
3.
Para. 66.
In the last sentence, only acetic anhydride is a prohibited import except under licence - not acetyl chloride. Acetyl chloride is a dangerous chemical requiring expert handling in properly equipped laboratories. No case of it being used for clandestine heroin manufacture has ever come to light in Hong Kong, though of course it could be used as suggested. It is believed that most of the 4 tons or so of acetic anhydride used in illicit heroin manufacture is unlawfully diverted from cargoes if it stored in local godowns during trans-shipment. There is no evidence to suggest that acetic anhydride is smuggled into Hong Kong from Macao, though some may be from Japan and Tai Wan.
4.
Para. 67.
First sentence; opium is not exported from Hong Kong, only heroin. All the raw opium smuggled into Hong Kong is converted in smoking opium by a boiling process and consumed locally.
5.
Third sentence; until recently all the main opium consignments in the illicit traffic came by Thai trawler.
6.
7.
Para. 68.
Merchant shipping should be added to air routes.
Para. 69.
There is no direct air route from northern Thailand to Hong Kong. In the context of this paragraph, whilst some morphine base may have been sent by air from Bangkok, it is not believed to have been frequent. came by sea by Thai Trawler.
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