Vice
125. The influence of the triads is particularly evident in the field of vice. Narcotic sellers and addicts, prostitutes, and gamblers who are themselves breaking the law are easy prey to persons engaged in extor- tion or offering 'protection'. The extent of the major forms of vice is the subject of comment in the paragraphs following, while the work of the Narcotics Bureau is mentioned elsewhere.
Narcotics
126. 9,801 persons were arrested during the year for narcotics offences. Of a total of 10,146 offences committed, the majority—6,791— were for the possession or smoking of heroin and possession of heroin pipes, while there were six cases of keeping heroin divans. Opium offences totalled 3,284 of which sixty one were for the keeping of a divan. Offences for the possession of morphine and barbitone, and other offences such as dealing in or manufacturing dangerous drugs, totalled sixty five. In comparison with the year preceding 7,118 less offences were disclosed and 4,018 fewer persons were arrested.
Prostitution
127. In the course of the year 2,099 persons were charged with offences of soliciting or loitering for the purpose of prostitution, while another ninety four persons were charged with keeping brothels, un- licensed massage houses or lodging houses for prostitutes. An allied offence is the showing of indecent films. Maximum sentences were given by the Courts in an effort to eradicate these shows.
Gambling
128. 6,810 persons were charged with gambling and lottery offences, over half of these being arrested for street gambling, particularly prevalent in the waterfront areas, and often the cause of fights and woundings. 168 persons were charged with keeping common gaming houses, another 406 with lottery offences. At the end of the year there were ninety eight licensed mahjong schools operating in the Colony.
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT
129. The primary task of the C.I.D. is the investigation of crime, the detection, apprehension and bringing before the Courts of those responsible, and the recovery of stolen property. It consists of a body of investigators and detective officers aided by specialists and a well developed system of records.
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