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Hong Kong Times (14.11.74) felt that the arrests will be a great blow to drug trafficking in Hong Kong.
In a separate editorial (15.11.74), the same paper noted that the public are pleased to learn of the arrests.
"The public think that, such action reflected the Government's determination to fight drug trafficking," it said.
The paper went on to point out that due to the numerous raids in the past months, the price of drugs has been raised to such a great extent that a lot of addicts are forced to quit drugs.
"This indicated that the good results achieved in fighting drugs can save a lot of addicts," it said. Ming Pao shared the same opinion.
The paper believed that if the authorities work with determination, they could koop drug trafficking under control.
Sing Tao Jih Pao, Hong Kong Times (14.11,74), Kung Sheung Evening News (14.11.74), Kung Sheung Daily News and Ming Po were glad that the arrested suspects are "big heads".
Sing Tao Jih Pao commended the Police for having the determination to fight 'tigers as well as flics'.
"Besides gaining public support, the move will surely hit drug trafficking in Hong Kong hard," Hong Kong Times said.
The paper applauded the Police for intensifying their anti-drug work.
"They no longer merely crrist the-accomplices; they arrest the big bosses as well," it claimed.
Kung Sheung Daily News regarded the arrests as 'the greatest achievement of drug fighting in Hong Kong' since all the suspects are believed to be big heads.
Kung Sheung Evening News (16.11.74) felt that the Police are treating the case very seriously,
(i)
It cited the following to back up its statement:
the Police imposed close supervision on the suspects;
(ii) the Police prosecutor opposed the defendants application for bail on the
grounds that the defendants are very well-off; and
(iii) the Police thought that even the witholding of the defendants' travel
documents, no one can guarantee that they will not escape.
"What the Police said indeed illustrates how powerful the drug traffickers are in Hong Kong," the paper remarked.
II.Comments and suggestions
Sing Tao Jih Pao and Hong Kong Times (15.11.74) urged the Police to continue their efforts.
1
"The arrest of ordinary racketeers in the past and the conducting of anti- drugs campaigns had no deterrent effect on drug trafficking at all. Most important of all is to arrest the big bosses," Sing Tao Jih Pao said.
The paper urged the Police to arrest the "big heads" and the authorities to impose heavier penalty on traffickers.