XN000022-1982-10-29 — Page 3

IN

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1982

LAW AGAINST DRUG SHIP COMES INTO OPERATION NEXT JANUARY

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THE DANGEROUS DRUGS (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) ORDINANCE 1982, WHICH ENABLES THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE MORE EFFECTIVE ACTION TO DETER TRAFFICKERS IN DANGEROUS DRUGS FROM USING OCEAN-GOING SHIPS TO CARRY ON THE IR NEFARIOUS TRADE, WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON JANUARY 15 NEXT YEAR.

THE EFFECTIVE OPERATION DATE OF THE ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS PASSED INTO LAW ON JULY 14, 1982, IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

UNDER THE ORDINANCE, SANCTIONS OF A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5 MILLION COULD BE IMPOSED ON THE OWNERS OR MASTERS OF SHIPS IN WHICH EXCESSIVE QUANTITIES OF DANGEROUS DRUGS HAVE BEEN FOUND ON AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS WITHIN 18 MONTHS, AND IF THE PENALTY IMPOSED BY THE COURT IS NOT PAID, THE SHIP MAY BE FORFEITED TO THE CROWN.

+EXCESSIVE QUANTITIES+, AS DEFINED UNDER THE ORDINANCE, ARE 3 000 GRAMS OF OPIUM OR CANNABIS OR 500 GRAMS OF ANY OTHER DANGEROUS DRUGS.

BEFORE THE ENACTMENT OF THE NEW LEGISLATION ON JULY 14 THIS YEAR. THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE LAW WOULD COME INTO OPERATION SIX MONTHS AFTER ITS ENACTMENT SO AS TO GIVE SHIP OWNERS AND MASTERS A GRACE PERIOD TO TAKE WHATEVER ACTION THEY DEEM NECESSARY.

TO HELP OWNERS AND SHIP OFFICERS ASSURE THAT THEIR SHIPS ARE NOT BEING USED AS VEHICLES FOR ILLICIT DRUG IMPORTATION, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE, THE NARCOTICS DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES HAVE JOINTLY PRODUCED A GUIDE BOOK.

ENTITLED +DETECTION OF DRUG SMUGGLING ON SHIPS, THE GUIDE BOOK CONTAINS ADVICE AND INFORMATION ON THE TYPES OF DRUGS ABUSE IN HONG KONG, AND HOW DRUGS ARE CONCEALED ON BOARD SHIPS.

THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SAID IN HIS FOREWARD TO THE GUIDE BOOK1 +ALTHOUGH MUCH HAS BEEN ACHIEVED IN THE LAST TEN YEARS, THERE ARE STILL LARGE NUMBERS OF ADDICTS IN HONG KONG, AND WE HAVE A CONTINUING RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THE TRAFFICKERS' PLANS TO SUPPLY THEM ARE FRUSTRATED, AND THAT THE CRIMINALS CONCERNED ARE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.+

+AS THE SEA ROUTES PRESENT A READY MEANS OF INTRODUCING ILLICIT DRUGS INTO HONG KONG, I WOULD COMMEND THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOOKLET TO ALL OFFICERS ON ALL SHIPS COMING INTO THIS PORT,+ HE ADDED.

COPIES OF THE GUIDE BOOK HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO ALL SHIPPING COMPANIES AND OFFICERS OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS CALLING HONG KONG.

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