103. During the year 12,364 narcotics offences of all types were recorded compared with 18,518 for the previous year. Seizures of narcotics, too, were relatively lower, with the exception of barbitone. The decline, both in offences recorded and narcotics seized, can be attributed to the closure of this Bureau for nearly six months during and after the civil disturbances, when its officers assisted in Colony-wide operations undertaken in connection with the disorders. Following their return to narcotics suppression duties the personnel were required, in addition, to assist Divisions in combating the bomb menace which reached its height in November 1967; and it was not until January, 1968, that the Bureau was able to revert to normal working conditions.
104. Despite the civil disturbances, however, Narcotics Bureau officers were able in the latter part of 1967 to seize a large quantity of narcotics stored in numerous tins and parcels in a ground floor flat in Blue Pool Road, Hong Kong Island. These were found to contain a total of 1,040 lbs. of raw opium and 17.6 lbs. of morphine hydrochlo- ride. Two heroin 'factories,' operated by a Shanghainese syndicate, were uncovered in Kowloon City, one in La Salle Road and the other in Nga Tsin Wai Road. Raids on these premises resulted in the arrest of four persons (two of whom were female) and the seizure of substantial quantities of No. 3 heroin and diacetylmorphine hydrochloride. Total seizures by Police and Preventive Service were:
1965-66
1966-67 1967-68
lbs.
lbs.
lbs.
Raw Opium
4,576
11,178
2,454
Prepared Opium
59
70
42
Morphine & Morphine Hydrochloride
189
1,007
25
Heroin (D.H.)
24
68
45
Barbitone
121
151
953
105. Police continued to harass the street heroin-selling syndicates which were quick to move elsewhere as soon as efforts were directed against them. Peddlers themselves carried small stocks only, a factor which contributed to a smaller return in narcotics seized.
106. During the year 12 ounces of marijuana were seized, mainly from U.S. servicemen arriving by air from South Vietnam on leave.
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