PUBLIC ORDER
294
Modest increases in the use of synthetic drugs, methamphetamine and MDMA ('ecstasy') were observed. Enforcement action resulted in 120 kilograms of methamphetamine and 21 394 tablets of MDMA being seized, compared with 232 kilograms and 282 tablets in 1998.
Overall, domestic enforcement action in 1999 led to the arrest of a total of 8 733 persons for drug offences. Of these, 2 904 were arrested for major offences such as trafficking and manufacturing. In the previous year 3 372 persons had been arrested for major drug offences out of a total of 10 772 arrested for drug offences. Since the introduction of the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance in 1989, total assets valued at $420 million have been ordered to be confiscated or paid to the Government. Further assets valued at $108 million have been restrained pending confiscation.
In 1999, operations conducted by the Narcotics Bureau in co-operation with Mainland and foreign enforcement agencies severely disrupted the activities of international drug syndicates. In January and February, the Japanese National Police Agency, acting on the bureau's information, seized two shipments of methamphetamine totalling 303 kilograms and arrested 18 persons, six of them Hong Kong men. In February, an operation involving the bureau and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police led to the seizure of 45 kilograms of heroin and the arrest of two Hong Kong men in Vancouver. In June, a joint operation between the Narcotics Bureau and the Mainland's Public Security Bureau led to the arrest in the Mainland of three Hong Kong men and seizure of 10 kilograms of methamphetamine. In July, a joint operation with the Australian Federal Police led to the interception of 70 kilograms of heroin and the arrest of four Hong Kong people in Sydney.
Crime Prevention
The Crime Prevention Bureau continued to provide a public advisory service on crime prevention with 29 138 security surveys conducted on behalf of the public and private sectors.
The bureau's educational service was supplemented by the deployment of the Crime Prevention Bus, together with the Robotcop which is targeted at youngsters. In July, public access to crime prevention advice was enhanced by the introduction of the bureau's web site and call-fax system.
Crime Information
The Criminal Records Bureau provides criminal records to the courts to assist in the sentencing of offenders. In 1999, 87 494 new conviction records were filed.
The bureau indexes information on wanted, suspected or missing persons, missing vehicles and outstanding warrants. Other records and indices provide a means of identifying perpetrators of crime by their modus operandi. This information is available to force members through the Enhanced Police Operational Nominal Index Computer System maintained by the bureau round-the-clock. In July, the bureau introduced the Photo Album Library System which utilises the latest information technology and assists witnesses in the identification of suspects.