cent in the number of arrested persons aged under 21. A total of 2 213 persons were arrested for offences connected to ketamine and 468 were arrested in cases related to ecstasy-type tablets. In respect of heroin, a total of 2 438 persons were arrested.
The involvement of youth in the abuse of psychotropic substance has been a cause for concern. The Police Force will continue to improve efforts in the area of drug abuse prevention, particularly among young persons.
The Narcotics Bureau of the Police Force has worked closely with the Mainland and overseas authorities to interdict illicit dangerous drugs reaching the SAR. The joint efforts have produced some fruitful results with significant seizures made in the Mainland, including 5.03 kilograms of heroin, 148 kilograms of methamphetamine, 2 380 000 ecstasy-type tablets, 15 kilograms of MDMA powder, six kilograms of ketamine, 54 000 bottles of ketamine hydrochloride, five kilograms of cannabis buds, 500 kilograms of ephedrine and 2.1 tons of methaqualone. Significant seizures were also made overseas, including 190 kilograms of methamphetamine, 5 000 ecstasy- type tablets, 796 kilograms of MDMA powder and 7.8 kilograms of cocaine.
Financial Investigations
Financial investigation is one of the means employed to tackle organised crimes. To enhance the financial investigation and intelligence analysis capability of the Police Force, two separate financial investigation units were amalgamated under the command of the Narcotics Bureau in early 2004. During the year, a good number of complex financial investigations were conducted. Since the introduction of the relevant legislation, a total of $370 million of crime proceeds have been confiscated and paid to the Government. Moreover, a total of $1,315 million of crime proceeds have been placed under restraint and another $112 million have been ordered to be confiscated which was pending recovery from convicted criminals. There were a total of 19 prosecutions against 40 money launderers in 2004.
Apart from confiscating drug proceeds and prosecuting money launderers, the Police Force took part in international initiatives against money laundering and terrorist financing. There was full participation in the activities of the Financial Action Task Force and the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering. The Police Force also worked closely with local financial regulators and relevant stakeholders to safeguard the integrity of local financial systems. Regular training seminars and talks to both the public and private sectors were conducted to raise awareness of money laundering issues.
Crime Prevention
The Crime Prevention Bureau continued to provide a public advisory service, and 25 084 security surveys were conducted for both the public and private sectors in the year.
The bureau continued its educational role through campaigns and seminars, its call-fax and web-page services and the deployment of the Robotcop and the crime prevention bus. In 2004, some 2 905 260 advisory leaflets on crime prevention were distributed to raise the awareness of crime among the public. Some 792 250 leaflets