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investigated. Arrests were made in all cases but in the first case there was insufficient evidence to prefer criminal charges against the two men arrested. At the and of 1973 a third person was being sought by the police. In the remaining cases five persons were arrested, of whom one has been acquitted, three convicted and the remaining defendant was awaiting trial at the end of the year.
A number of operations concerning spurious watches were also conducted under the Merchandise Marks Ordinance. They resulted in the seizure of 8,289 watches, a quantity of watch components and implements and dies for forging trade marks, and the conviction of 12 persons. Under the Copyright Ordinance similar operations were carried out in which 5,081 pirated books were seized and confiscated, with three convictions. Some 9,300 music cassettes and records were also seized-seven persons were convicted and seven others were awaiting trial at the end of 1973.
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Three fruad cases investigated involved two officials and three customers of a local bank and a total of $5,120,000. Three persons were arrested and charged in connection with these offences. The remaining two suspects had already left Hong Kong on the day before the offences were discovered.
The Narcotics Bureau made a number of large seizures during the year totalling 399 kilos of morphine, 44.9 kilos of heroin, 1,748 kilos of opium and 11 kilos of cannabis. There was one large drug seizure, consisting of a complete consignment of 1,521.02 kilos of raw opium and 183.81 kilos of morphine. This was seized coming into Hong Kong. In the first six months of the year the total retail value of narcotics seized_exceeded $26 million. The total retail value of all drugs seized during 1973 exceeded $42 million.
The CID Training School, in the former Aberdeen Police Station, provides 12-week courses for inspectorate and rank and file, including women police officers. Since the school opened in April 1970, 974 students have received instruction, including officers from the Royal Brunei Police, immigration officers and Preventive Service inspectors.
The second crime prevention exhibition was held at the City Hall from May 4-7, 1973, with 14 local security companies participating. The exhibition was on a larger scale than in 1972 and was attended by an estimated 80,000 people.
Anti-Corruption
The Anti-Corruption Office dealt with 1,397 allegations of corruption. Of these 841 were anonymous reports either by letter or by telephone. All reports were tabled before the Target Committee on Corruption for direction on action to be taken.
During the year 50 cases were dealt with by the courts resulting in the conviction of 47 persons, or 94 per cent of those charged. A total of 58 cases were dealt with by departmental government disciplinary action. The year saw the first charges brought under Section 10 of the new Prevention of Bribery Ordinance introduced in May 1971.
In October it was decided to establish a separate Anti-Corruption Commission, headed by the former Secretary for Home Affairs and Information, Mr J. Cater.