Corruption involving Members of the Public
130. 30 members of the public were charged with offences arising from allegations of corruption. 12 were convicted and the remaining 18 are still awaiting the completion of the cases at court.
NARCOTICS BUREAU
131. A major part of the police effort in the investigation and detec- tion of crime is directed towards the suppression of narcotic drug addic- tion. Statistics show that some 70% or more of convicted prisoners are known to be drug addicts. The confirmed drug addict will take desperate measures to obtain his needful and continuous supply of drugs and thus there is only a thin line between drug addiction and the perpetration of general crime.
132. The drugs commonly used in Hong Kong are opium and its derivatives, morphine and heroin and barbitone. Hong Kong is not an opium producing centre and constant vigilance is maintained against the smuggling of drugs into the Colony. Heroin is the drug most com- monly used, much of which is converted from morphine smuggled into the Colony. During the year police detected a total of 15 places where heroin was under illicit manufacture.
133.
The Police Narcotics Bureau is responsible for the collation of information on narcotic smuggling and narcotic drug addiction general- ly, but this is only a part of government's measures to combat drug addiction. The bureau maintains close liaison with the Preventive Service and also with Narcotic enforcement agencies in many parts of the world, especially in South East Asia.
134. On 1st June, 1963 the bureau was strengthened by the establish- ment of a Force Narcotics Squad for direct operations against manufac- turers, distributors, and pedlars, supplementary to drug and vice squads operating at Police District and Divisional level. With the aid of this squad the bureau is now better able to undertake the investigation of cases which require protracted and painstaking inquiries. The squad has already met with considerable success in the detection and conviction of highly organized narcotic drug rings.
135. During the year a special committee appointed by government examined the practical aspects of enforcing government's declared deter- mination to suppress narcotic drug addiction and the conclusions drawn led to an increased establishment of the Narcotics Bureau. This includes
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