PUBLIC ORDER
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concerning diesel oil. Five major oil companies co-operated with the department to sponsor the Oil Industry Reward Scheme. The scheme, introduced on April 1, 1996, offers monetary awards to members of the public who provide information concerning illegal imports and distribution of diesel oil. In 1996, the department took action against six plants used for removing the markers and colouring substances from industrial diesel oil and against 302 illegal diesel oil outlets. It also detected six smuggling cases. A total of 1.47 million litres of diesel oil with a duty potential of $4.2 million was seized and 1 942 people were arrested.
Anti-narcotics Operations
The department continued to take vigorous enforcement action to prevent and suppress unlawful trafficking in dangerous drugs. It maintained a high level of vigilance against the illegal import and export of drugs, and continued its war against the illegal manufacture, distribution and street-peddling of drugs. The Customs Drug Investigation Bureau is the department's major investigative arm. Its main functions are to conduct investigations and surveillance on cases involving illegal trafficking or use of drugs. The department co-operates closely with the Hong Kong Police and overseas drug enforcement agencies in the exchange of intelligence and in the arrest and extradition of fugitive drug criminals.
In 1996, the department cracked 51 major trafficking cases, with the neutralisation of 12 heroin attenuating and 12 packing centres. The department seized 81.04 kilograms of heroin, 5.82 kilograms of raw opium, 6.68 kilograms of prepared opium, 7 796.12 kilograms of herbal cannabis, 27.01 kilograms of cannabis resin, 4.74 kilograms of cocaine and 4.58 kilograms plus 12 110 tablets of Ecstasy. In addition, 11 569 tablets of psychotropic drugs were seized. A total of 1045 people were arrested for drug-related offences.
Recovery of Drug Trafficking Proceeds
The department enforces the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance. This is an effective weapon which enables the department to trace and seize assets derived from drug trafficking and to conduct investigations into money laundering.
In 1996, it obtained two court orders and restrained assets worth $2.3 million. Assets valued at $170,000 were confiscated.
Control of Chemical Precursors
On January 1, 1996, the department extended its licensing control from three to 24 chemicals which may be used in the illegal manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
At international level, the department had several successes in preventing the diversion of controlled chemicals for the manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. These successes were largely the result of co-operation with overseas law enforcement agencies.
Border Control
Cross-border vehicular traffic passing through the control points at Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok reached record levels with a daily average of 24 324