ROYAL HONG
KONG
POLICE
ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE
NARCOTICS BUREAU BULLETIN
1ST HALF 1978
IN CONFIDENCE
Introduction
During the first half of 1978 indications were that illicit drug prices held fairly steady with a continued scarcity at street level forcing increasing numbers of addicts to register at Government Methadone Treatment Centres. A drop in the retail heroin price and wholesale morphine price in April has been attributed to the possibility of a successful large scale import of raw materials.
2 Intelligence has indicated a disturbing trend in sources of supply to Hong Kong. Previously the Golden Triangle was Hong Kong's only major supplier, however, recently Pakistani opium imports have increased which may mean that enforcement pressure in Thailand has resulted in making the Pakistani growing areas a more viable source of supply for the local market.
3 The posting of a Chief Inspector from Narcotics Bureau to each Police District is having a far reaching effect where implemented in co-ordinating and concerting enforcement action.
4 At the end of the review period, 30 June 1978, registration of addicts at Government Methadone Detoxification Centres stood at 11,660 while 11,118 people were registered at the Maintainance Centres.
Import
No precise information is available on bulk imports of Narcotics into Hong Kong by
way of Thai Trawlers and Hong Kong based junks, however in mid-June Thai authorities intercepted a large ship- ment of narcotics in Bangkok which, it was stated, was destined for Hong Kong.
6 Imports on a relatively small scale through Kai Tak Airport, mainly in passenger's luggage or con- cealed in bodypacks worn by couriers have revealed more sophisticated techniques engaged by traffickers in attempts to dupe enforcement authorities. Examples are available of couriers picking up drugs in Bangkok, transiting Hong Kong to Taiwan and Korea, then returning to Hong Kong from a non- suspect city, such as Seoul. A further example is that of conveying the drug inside a false bottomed suitcase with tins of baby powder overtly displayed to create a diversionary suspicion, leading Customs officers away from the drugs by chasing a false trail.
Manufacture
7 Despite the ever increasing security measures adopted by manufacturing syndicates, a total of three active factories have been neutralised by Police during the period under review. This has resulted in several important chemists being arrested.
8 Although previously rare, a method gaining popularity is the import of an intermediary product ie esters of morphine (heroin base). All that is necessary to produce of No 3 heroin from this is the addition of hydrochloric acid, caffeine, additives and diluants. The advantage of this means of manu- facture is that the dangerous and lengthy process of acetylation is performed prior to arrival in Hong Kong. This reduces the risk of detection from persons smelling the pungent odour of acetic anhydride.
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IN CONFIDENCE