26
I
FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 1992
MR WOODHOUSE SAID MORE THAN 30,000 COPIES OF A LEAFLET "HAVE A NICE TRIP, DON'T CARRY DRUGS" HAD BEEN SENT TO ALL MAJOR TRAVEL AGENCIES IN THE TERRITORY TO ADVISE TRAVELLERS HOW TO AVOID GETTING INVOLVED IN DRUG TRAFFICKING WHEN TRAVELLING ABROAD.
HE URGED ALL TRAVELLERS TO GET A COPY AND READ IT CAREFULLY WHEN THEY APPROACHED THEIR TRAVEL AGENTS TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THEIR TRIP.
THE LEAFLET IS ALSO OBTAINABLE AT A DEPARTMENT OFFICES.
NUMBER OF IMMIGRATION
"INNOCENT,
BE
THE
UNSUSPECTING TRAVELLERS ARE LIKELY ΤΟ TARGETS OF DRUG SYNDICATES," MR WOODHOUSE SAID.
"NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE OFFERED, WHETHER IT BE A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS OR A FREE AIR TICKET, THE PRICE CAN BE THE LOSS OF YOUR FREEDOM, OR EVEN YOUR LIFE, WHEN YOU ARE CAUGHT. THE DEATH PENALTY IS MANDATORY FOR TRAFFICKING OFFENCES IN SOME COUNTRIES AND LONG PRISON SENTENCES OF UP TO 25 YEARS ARE ALSO COMMON, MR WOODHOUSE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT WITH INCREASING WORLDWIDE CONCERN OVER DRUG ABUSE AND TRAFFICKING AND BETTER INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION, COUNTRIES WERE TAKING MORE STRINGENT LAW ENFORCEMENT MEASURES AND IMPOSING TOUGHER PENALTIES FOR DRUG OFFENCES.
THE COMMISSIONER OFFERED THE FOLLOWING ADVICE TO TRAVELLERS:
DON'T CARRY PACKAGES OR BAGGAGE FOR ANYONE UNLESS YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT THEY CONTAIN NO ILLICIT DRUGS OR OTHER PROHIBITED ITEMS;
*
NEVER AGREE TO CHECK IN BAGGAGE ON BEHALF OF SOMEONE WHO CLAIMS TO HAVE EXCESS BAGGAGE;
ALRIGHT, OR LEGAL
DON'T BELIEVE PEOPLE WHO SAY THAT IT IS TO USE DOPE IN YOUR DESTINATION. ALL COUNTRIES PROHIBIT ILLICIT DRUG USE;
* DON'T BELIEVE PEOPLE WHO TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE NOT THE TYPE
THAT CUSTOMS GO FOR;
*
REPORT TO THE POLICE OR TO THE CUSTOMS IF A POSSIBLE DRUG CARRYING DEAL IS PUT TO YOU. THE SYNDICATE WILL GET THE PROFIT; YOU WILL TAKE THE RISK.
MR WOODHOUSE ALSO STRESSED THAT PENALTIES FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING OFFENCES IN HONG KONG ARE VERY SEVERE. THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IS LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $5 MILLION. THE ASSETS OF TRAFFICKERS CAN BE CONFISCATED.
CONVICTED
DRUG
/EVEN PERSONS