-
46 -
(b)
(c)
The number of forged banknotes seized in 1992 was 13,623; in 1993, it was 93,180; and in 1994, it was 16,577. In 1993 there were two major seizures of 49,765 and 37,252 counterfeit banknotes.
The Police do not have separate statistics for the number of forged banknotes in circulation.
Anyone manufacturing, distributing or using forged banknotes is prosecuted when sufficient evidence exists to support a charge. Between 1991 and 1994, 28 persons were charged with uttering forged banknotes in Hong Kong, and 11 persons with forgery of banknotes.
Identification of forged banknotes in Hong Kong is undertaken by the Police Force's counterfeit currency experts, who are well equipped with the technology required. These experts are capable of identifying all types of forged banknotes.
End/Wednesday, January 11, 1995
Use of helicopter to carry offenders
Following is a question by the Hon Fred Li Wah-ming and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Alistair Asprey, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Questions:
The former Deputy Crown Prosecutor, Mr Warwick Reid, was released recently after serving his jail sentence. He was deported immediately upon release and was flown in a helicopter direct from the Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre to Kai Tak Airport. The transport cost of the trip, which lasted only eight minutes, was about $14,000. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council of the following:
(a)
(b)
(c)
whether there were any precedent cases of the use of a helicopter to carry an offender; if so, what the details were;
if the answer to (a) is in the negative, what were the reasons for the use of a helicopter to transport Mr Warwick Reid to the airport; and
whether helicopters will be used to transport tainted witness on all occasions in the future?