MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1991
HE SUGGESTED TRAVELLERS GET A COPY AND READ IT CAREFULLY WHEN THEY APPROACHED TRAVEL AGENCIES FOR ARRANGING TRIPS.
THE LEAFLET IS ALSO OBTAINABLE AT A NUMBER OF IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT OFFICES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "NAIVE TRAVELLERS ARE ALWAYS LIKELY ΤΟ BE THE TARGETS OF DRUG SYNDICATES.
"NO MATTER WHAT THE REWARD IS, MAY BE ONLY A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS AND A FREE AIR TICKET, THE PRICE CAN BE LOSS OF FREEDOM OR LIFE WHEN CAUGHT.
"THE DEATH PENALTY IS MANDATORY FOR TRAFFICKING IN SOME COUNTRIES, AND LONG PRISON SENTENCES OF UP то 25 YEARS ARE ALSO COMMON, HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT WITH INCREASING WORLDWIDE CONCERN OVER DRUG ABUSE AND TRAFFICKING AND BETTER INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN RECENT YEARS, MOST COUNTRIES WERE TAKING MORE STRINGENT LAW ENFORCEMENT MEASURES AND IMPOSING TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR DRUG OFFENCES.
THE SPOKESMAN GAVE THE FOLLOWING ADVICE:
DON'T CARRY PACKAGES OR BAGGAGE FOR ANYONE UNLESS ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT THEY CONTAIN NO ILLICIT DRUGS OR OTHER PROHIBITED ITEMS;
NEVER AGREE TO CHECK IN BAGGAGE ON BEHALF OF SOMEONE CLAIMS TO HAVE EXCESS BAGGAGE;
WHO
DON'T BELIEVE PEOPLE WHO SAY "IT IS ALRIGHT OR LEGAL TO USE DOPE OVER THERE". ALL COUNTRIES PROHIBIT ILLICIT DRUG USE:
DON'T BELIEVE PEOPLE WHO TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE NOT THE TYPE THE CUSTOMS GO FOR; AND
DO REPORT TO THE POLICE OR THE CUSTOMS IF A POSSIBLE DRUG CARRYING DEAL IS PUT TO YOU. THE SYNDICATE WILL GET THE PROFIT; YOU WILL TAKE THE RISK.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO STRESSED THAT THE PENALTIES FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING OFFENCES IN HONG KONG WERE VERY SEVERE, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY BEING LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $5 MILLION, AND THE CONFISCATION OF ASSETS OF CONVICTED DRUG TRAFFICKERS.
EVEN PEOPLE FOUND IN ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF SMALL QUANTITIES OF DRUGS ARE LIABLE TO THREE YEARS + IMPRISONMENT AND SOME $10,000 IN FINE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PUBLIC SHOULD CALL THE POLICE NARCOTICS BUREAU ON TEL. 527 1234, OR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT ON TEL. 545 6182, IF THEY SUSPECTED THAT ANY PERSON WAS A DRUG TRAFFICKER OR PUSHER.
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