-281-
Customs.
investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), in cooperation with Customs, led to the seizure of another 37 kilograms of heroin and the arrest of several customs officers and their accomplices.
A.2. Accomplishments in 1986
Seizures rose substantially in 1986 compared to 1985, with seizures of heroin base, heroin no. 3 and heroin no.
3 and heroin no. 4 totaling 563 kilograms. This increase may mean that enforcement authorities are again catching up to traffickers, who changed their tactics after suffering severe losses in 1984. were 12,400 narcotics-related arrests in 1986.
There
The Government has proposed a system of fines tied to the length of a convicted trafficker's prison sentence, thereby striking at the financial side of the narcotics trade.
The Government's education and public awareness programs appear effective in at least two areas. The number of reported cases of youthful (under 21) drug abuse declined
declined in 1986, indicating that educational programs in schools and in the media seem to have some impact in discouraging drug abuse. addition,
a media campaign encouraging the public to report drug pushers doubled the number of police tips.
A.3. Plans, Programs and Timetables
In
The Government relies on enforcement by Royal Hong Kong Police and the Customs and Excise Service to keep the availability of heroin to a minimum. Historically, high street prices for heroin have correlated with an increase in the number of addicts seeking treatment. Police and Customs well-trained, highly-motivated and efficient.
are
Hong Kong is considering anti-triad legislation modelled on U.S. legislation to combat criminal conspiracies (RICO). The proposed bill, which seems certain
certain of passage in 1987, would considerably expand police authority to deal with triads.
A.4.
Adequacy of Legal and Law Enforcement Measures
moves
Hong Kong is
The Hong Kong Government is cooperative and expeditiously to facilitate extradition requests. now examining what further measures it can take to cooperate in narcotics matters, such as a mutual assistance agreement. Kong does not have seizure-of-assets legislation, though such legislation is under consideration.
Hong