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months hard labour were meted out to 71 persons. In addition, one juvenile was sent to the Remand Home for six months and thereafter to an Industrial Home for four years. All these cases were, in accordance with the policy commenced in 1936, tried at the Criminal Sessions and not summarily before a magistrate.
27. Altogether there were 316 arrests for the possession of heroin pills with 213 convictions, 37 arrests for possession of heroin with 25 convictions and 2 for importing heroin with 2 convictions. Over three thousand flats or floors were raided to achieve these results.
28. Two men were sentenced at the Criminal Sessions for importing heroin, one a Japanese, the other a northern Chinese. Both were arrested on the S.S. "Hupeh" on her arrival from the north on the 4th January. The Japanese had in his possession 724 ounces of heroin concealed in the false back of a trunk, in his bedding and clothing, and in tins of fish. He received ten years hard labour on charges of importing and of possession. The Chinese, who had 228 ounces, received seven years hard labour on the same charges.
29. One Chinese was sentenced to five years hard labour for the possession of 47 ounces of heroin, and to a further 1½ years for attempting to bribe a Revenue Officer. The drug was found concealed in the false backs of chairs and sofas. A northern Chinese, who was about to be tried at the Criminal Sessions for the possession of 104 ounces of heroin which he was believed to have imported, absconded and forfeited his bail of $12,500.
30. Two factories among the 93 found are perhaps worthy of special reference. In one at No. 3 Fung Wong Terrace, 2nd floor, were found 266,000 pills, and work had been going on there for three or four months prior to discovery. No arrests were made. The other at No. 67 Connaught Road West, 2nd floor, contained 256,600 pills, and three males were arrested. Each was sentenced to three years hard labour. It had been in operation for two or three weeks.
31. It is noteworthy that during the year many of the red pills seized were found to contain no heroin. It seems probable that the demand for pills became so great that heroin supplies were insufficient, and pills similar in all respects to the usual red (heroin) pill but containing no heroin were accordingly placed on the market. No charge, of course, lay against the possessors of such pills.
32. The number of heroin divans has, it is to be feared, increased enormously during the year and they are to be found all over the urban areas. The keepers of these places are usually of a very low type and are paid miserable wages to look after the divans and to go to prison if caught. Their families are supported by their backers during their stay in gaol. They never divulge the identities of their employers, even if they know them. Pills are kept on the premises only in sufficient quantity for the day's requirements.
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months hard labour were meted out to 71 persons. In addition, one juvenile was sent to the Remand Home for six months and thereafter to an Industrial Home for four years. All these cases were, in accordance with the policy commenced in 1936, tried at the Criminal Sessions and not suimarily before a magistrate.
27. Altogether there were 316 arrests for the possession of heroin pills with 213 convictions, 37 arrests for possession of heroin with 25 convictions and 2 for importing heroin with. 2 convictions. Over three thousand flats or floors were raided to achieve these results.
28. Two men were sentenced at the Criminal Sessions for importing heroin, one a Japanese, the other a northern Chinese. Both were arrested on the S.S. "Hupeh" on her arrival from the north on the 4th January. The Japanese had in his posses- sion 724 ounces of heroin concealed in the false back of a trunk, in his bedding and clothing, and in tins of fish. He received ten years hard labour on charges of importing and of possession. The Chinese, who had 228 ounces, received seven years hard Labour on the same charges.
29. One Chinese was sentenced to five years hard labour for the possession of 47 ounces of heroin, and to a further 11⁄2 years for attempting to bribe a Revenue Officer. The drug was found concealed in the false backs of chairs and sofas. A northern Chinese, who was about to be tried at the Criminal Sessions for the possession of 104 ounces of heroin which he was believed to have imported, absconded and forfeited his bail of $12,500.
30. Two factories among the 93 found are perhaps worthy of special reference. In one at No. 3 Fung Wong Terrace, 2nd floor, were found 266,000 pills, and work had been going on there for three or four months prior to discovery. No arrests were made. The other at No. 67 Connaught Road West, 2nd floor, contained 256,600 pills, and three males were arrested. Each was sentenced to three years hard labour. It had been in operation for two or three weeks.
31. It is noteworthy that during the year many of the red pills seized were found to contain no heroin. It seems probable that the demand for pills became so great that heroin supplies were insufficient, and pills similar in all respects to the usual red (heroin) pill but containing no heroin were accordingly placed on the market. No charge of course, lay against the possessors of such pills.
32. The number of heroin divans has, it is to be feared, increased enormously during the year and they are to be found all over the urban areas. The keepers of these places are usually of a very low type and are paid miserable wages to look after the divans and to go to prison if caught. Their families are supported by their backers during their stay in gaol. They never divulge the identities of their employers, even if they know them. Pills are kept on the premises only in sufficient quantity for the day's requirements.
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