XN000022-1984-04-29 — Page 5

SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 1984

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THEIR OPERATIONS WITH THE HELP OF METAL DETECTORS AND DETECTOR DOGS WERE FURTHER ENHANCED BY THE INSTALLATION

OF X-RAY MACHINES EARLY LAST YEAR. THESE ADVANCED ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE IN THE DETECTION OF NARCOTICS AND FIREARMS.

WHERE NECESSARY, ASSISTANCE FROM OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY AND ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES IS ALSO ENLISTED. THEIR EXPERTISE AND ADVICE ARE OF TEN REQUIRED FOR EXAMINATION OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND MACHINERY.

THE LARGEST SEIZURE MADE BY THE SEA CARGO EXAMINATION DIVISION LAST YEAR WAS A CASE OF 43 UNMANIFESTED SILVER INGOTS. WEIGHING 398.6 KILOGRAMS, THE INGOTS HAD A MARKET VALUE OF OVER $700 000, MR SHAW SAID.

COUNTERFEIT GOODS, ITEMS INFRINGING COPYRIGHT OR BEARING FALSE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS AND OBJECTIONABLE PUBLICATIONS ARE AMONG THE PRINCIPAL ILLICIT AIR CARGOES SEIZED.

'HOWEVER, THE ACTION CANNOT BE COUNTED AS COMPLETE AT THE TIME OF SEIZURE AS MOST CASES ARE REFERRED TO OTHER UNITS OR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION WHICH OFTEN LEADS TO FURTHER SEIZURES AND ARRESTS,' MR YUEN POINTED OUT.

"WE ALSO PERFORM AGENCY DUTIES FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTS, SUCH AS AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, IN DETECTING AND DETAINING PROHIBITED ITEMS UNDER THEIR BAILIWICK, MR YUEN SAID.

THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE SERVICE ALSO WORKS CLOSELY WITH SOME 50 OVERSEAS CUSTOMS AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THIS COOPERATION ENABLES A SPEEDY EXCHANGE OF INTELLIGENCE ON DRUG TRAFFICKING, SMUGGLING AND IMPORT AND EXPORT VIOLATIONS AND PROVIDES TIP-OFFS IN SEA AND AIR CARGO EXAMINATION OPERATIONS.

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INDUSTRIAL, BUILDING SURVEYS UNDERWAY

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THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS NOW CONDUCTING TWO SEPARATE SURVEYS -- ONE OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION, AND THE OTHER OF -- FOR INFORMATION RELATING BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE

TO THE YEAR 1983.

BOTH SURVEYS FOLLOW SIMILAR ONES HELD FOR THE YEAR 1982.

THE SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IS PART OF A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME TO COLLECT ECONOMIC STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.

+THE AIM IS TO OBTAIN DATA FOR UPDATING THE ESTIMATES OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR'S CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG'S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND ASCERTAINING THE OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS OF DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES,+ HE ADDED.

/ABOUT 8 000