XN000022-1985-09-05 — Page 12

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1985

THE YUEN LONG CREEK OPERATIONS FOLLOW A RANDOM SAMPLE BY WEST DIVISION OF SAMPANS IN THE AREA, WHICH REVEALED THAT IT WAS NOT UNCOMMON FOR OVER 50 CHINESE SAMPANS A DAY TO ENTER THE CREEK AND TRADE AT WANG CHAU OR VISIT RELATIVES IN THE AREA.

SAID MR RICHARD BELL, WEST DIVISIONAL COMMANDER: "'AS THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT ENTITLED TO ENTER HONG KONG AND CHILD ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION WAS RIFE IN THE GENERAL AREA, THE OPERATION WAS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO ESTABLISH WHETHER THIS AREA WAS IN FACT A WEAK POINT OR NOT.''

DURING TWO WEEKS OF INTENS IF IED OPERATIONS 21 OF 61 VESSELS ENTERING THE CREEK HAD BEEN FOUND TO BE FROM CHINA. THEN THE FIGURE DROPPED RAPIDLY.

BUT IT WAS ALSO APPARENT THAT MANY HONG KONG VESSELS PLYING THE CREEK AND BELONGING TO PEOPLE LIVING ABOUT THE BANKS WERE ALSO POSSIBLE CARRIERS OF ILLEGALS AND POSSIBLY INVOLVED WITH THE IMPORTATION OF NARCOTICS.

ALTHOUGH FEWER VESSELS NOW ATTEMPT TO SNEAK PAST THE PATROLS, THE OPERATION CONTINUES WITH POLICE OFFICERS WORKING FROM A WATER JET BOAT MOORED AT TS IM BEI TSUI PIER AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE CREEK AND FROM A POLICE VESSEL MOORED IN THE BAY.

THE SMALL BOATS - ZODIACS AND ARMY ASSAULT CRAFT - SWEEP THE CREEK IN SHIFTS FROM TSIM BE! TSU. THE WORK IS UNCOMFORTABLE AC UNPLEASANT DUE TO THE FOUL WATER IN WHICH THEY WORK AND THE DUT ARE CHANGED DAILY.

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SAID MR BELL: THE MOST NOTABLE ASPECT OF THE CREEK IS IT HORRIBLE AND PERVADING ODOUR WHICH IS PARTICULARLY PROMINENT DURING WARM WEATHER SPRING LOW TIDES. AN ACRID TASTE IS LEFT IN THE THROAT AND THE SMELL CLINGS TO HAIR AND UNIFORM FOR MANY HC:

+ 'THE FLUID ON WHICH OUR VESSELS OPERATE IS AN ANOXIC MIX OF WATER, EFFLUENT, INDUSTRIAL WASTE AND ANIMAL WASTE FROM FAR IF A MAN WERE TO FALL INTO IT HE WOULD REQUIRE IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.''

THE CREEK IS ALSO INFESTED WITH MOSQUITOES AND IS CLASSIFIED A SERIOUSLY INFESTED AREA. ALL OFFICERS TAKE TWO ANTI-MALARI A TABLETS WEEKLY.

NAVIGATING THE CREEK AT LOW TIDES BRINGS ADDITIONAL HAZARUS. MUD AND DEBRIS AND FLOATING AN IMAL CARCASSES CONSTANTLY THREATEN TO FOUL THE SMALL CRAFT.

ABOARD POLICE VESSEL TWO MOORED IN THE BAY WORK IS LESS UNPLEASANT BUT TEDIOUS. A FORMER DRILLING RIG, THE VESSEL HAS BAD, APPROPRIATELY NAMED BORING ONE'' BY ITS PERSONNEL.

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/RATHER THAN