XN000022-1996-06-27 — Page 32

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"Drug trafficking is an international problem and co-operation among governments in confiscating the proceeds of drug trafficking acts as a major deterrent," Mr Lai said.

"Hong Kong has already concluded agreements and arrangements with 11 other jurisdictions.

"As a result of this bilateral co-operation, about $208 million worth of assets related to drug trafficking have been seized in Hong Kong."

The Administration has recently initialled a similar agreement with the Kingdom of Thailand concerning mutual assistance in the suppression of drug trafficking. Hong Kong needs to designate the country under the ordinance before the signing of the agreement.

Hong Kong has so far concluded agreements with Australia, Canada, Malaysia and the United States, and equivalent arrangements with the United Kingdom and a number of its dependent territories.

End

Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Order

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in moving the amendments to the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds)(Designated Countries and Territories) (Amendment) Order 1996 in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Mr President,

I move the motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance has strengthened our ability to combat domestic and international drug trafficking, by providing us with the means to trace, restrain and confiscate the proceeds of drug trafficking. Section 28(1) of the Ordinance provides for the Governor in Council, with the approval of the Legislative Council, to designate countries and territories outside Hong Kong, so as to enable their confiscation and related orders to be enforced here; it also allows assistance to be provided in relation to their drug trafficking investigations.