XN000022-1983-07-22 — Page 6

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 1983

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A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT AT PRESENT, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE STAFF CAN ONLY LAY INFORMATION, IF IN THE COURSE OF DUTY, THEY CAME ACROSS CIGARETTES OR CIGARETTE TOBACCO IN RETAIL OUTLETS AND OTHER PLACES WHICH DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS.

+THEY WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE MORE DIRECT ENFORCEMENT ACTION IF THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION IS ACCEPTED, HE SAID.

THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (JULY 27) AND IS EXPECTED TO PASS ITS THIRD READING ON AUGUST 10.

PUBLIC COMMENTS MAY BE SENT IN WRITING TO UMELCO, AT SWIRE HOUSE, 12TH FLOOR, CHATER ROAD, OR TO THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.

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BILL SEEKS TO HELP POLICE INVESTIGATIONS

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THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE POLICE FORCE ORDINANCE TO HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS INVESTIGATE INDICTABLE OFFENCES WHERE IT IS SUSPECTED THAT PROCEEDS OF CRIME ARE LAUNDERED THROUGH BANK ACCOUNTS, OR THAT STOLEN GOODS OR DRUGS ARE KEPT IN SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES OR ELSEWHERE IN BANKS.

THE AMENDMENT BILL EMPOWERS THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE TO REQUIRE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES TO LET HIM KNOW WHETHER PARTICULAR PERSONS BEING INVESTIGATED HAVE OR HAVE HAD ACCESS TO AN ACCOUNT OR SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX OR ANY ITEMS OTHERWISE STORED IN THEIR CUSTODY.

IF THE POLICE WANT DETAILS OF THE ACCOUNTS OR STORED ITEMS. THEY WILL STILL BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN IN THE NORMAL WAY A SEARCH WARRANT ISSUED BY A MAGISTRATE.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT IT IS ESSENTIAL IN SUCH INVESTIGATIONS FOR THE POLICE TO ASCERTAIN AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE WHETHER - AND, IF SO, EXACTLY WHERE THE SUSPECTS ARE HOLDING THE PROCEEDS OF THE IR CRIME.

+ IF THE POLICE CANNOT OBTAIN THIS INFORMATION, THEN IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR THEM TO APPLY FOR A SEARCH WARRANT BECAUSE IT MUST REFER TO SPECIFIC PREMISES, HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT AS A SAFEGUARD AGAINST ABUSE, BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WILL BE REQUIRED TO ACT ONLY UPON THE WRITTEN REQUEST OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, WHO CANNOT DELEGATE HIS POWER TO OFFICERS BELOW THE RANK OF ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER IN THE POLICE AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE.

/FURTHERMORE,