2
FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1977
DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1977
*****
AN AMENDMENT BILL, WHICH SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE POLICE AND THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE TO DETAIN THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS OF SUSPECTS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR SERIOUS DRUG OFFENCES WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE
TODAY.
THE BILL, IF APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WILL AMEND THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE AND INCREASE ITS EFFECTIVENESS IN DEALING WITH DRUG TRAFFICKERS.
THE ORDINANCE AT PRESENT PROVIDES NO EFFECTIVE CONTROL OVER THE MOVEMENT OF A SUSPECTED DRUG OFFENDER. THIS MEANS THAT A SUSPECT CAN EASILY FLEE HONG KONG BEFORE THE AUTHORITIES CAN GATHER ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO BRING HIM TO THE COURT.
UNDER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, A MAGISTRATE MAY AUTHORIZE THE POLICE OR THE PREVENTIVE SERVICE, UPON APPLICATION FROM THEM, TO DETAIN THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS OF A PERSON WHO IS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR AN OFFENCE PUNISHABLE WITH 15 YEARS OR MORE IMPRISONMENT UNDER THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE. THE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS MAY BE DETAINED INITIALLY FOR SIX MONTHS AND, IF NECESSARY, A FURTHER THREE MONTHS TO ALLOW MORE TIME FOR INVESTIGATION.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES THAT IF THE PERSON FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE MAGISTRATE'S ORDER, HE MAY BE ARRESTED AND SENT TO PRISON CUSTODY.
COMMENTING ON THE BILL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS DESIGNED TO DEAL WITH CRIMINALS INVOLVED IN SERIOUS DRUG OFFENCES, SUCH AS MAJOR TRAFFICKING IN, AND MANUFACTURING OF DANGEROUS DRUGS.
HE SAID THE PROPOSED MEASURE WAS SIMILAR TO THE SECTION OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE WHICH EMPOWERS A MAGISTRATE TO ORDER A PERSON BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION TO SURRENDER HIS TRAVEL DOCUMENTS. HE SAID THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS PARTICULAR SECTION HAD BEEN WELL
DEMONSTRATED.
SIMILAR POWERS FOR ANTI-DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, WOULD BE USEFUL IN MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR MAJOR DRUG OFFENDERS TO FLEE HONG KONG BEFORE INVESTIGATIONS COULD BE COMPLETED.
13