TNAG-0418-FCO40-464-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1973 — Page 43

IN CONFIDENCE

Storage Centres

In a storage centre discovered recently a quantity of heroin, ‘999' brand morphine blocks and two jerry cans of acetic anhydride (Annexure IV Case No. 18) were seized.

The two cans were packed in cartons which, according to the markings on the cartons were supposed to have been exported from Japan to Djakarta via Hong Kong. However the cartons were illegally diverted during the ship's stopover in Hong Kong. Acetic anhydride, an essential ingredient in the manufacture of heroin, is a prohibited import into Hong Kong except under licence.

Synthetic Drugs

The abuse of amphetamines and barbiturates continues amongst young persons but this form of abuse is usually confined to a small number of non-Chinese residents. A total of 12 successful raids were made during the period under review with large seizures of Part I Poisons and Antibiotics being made. From an enforcement point of view the inclusion of all amphetamines and barbiturates in the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance would be the ideal solution and proposed legislation along these lines is being pursued.

Cannabis and its derivatives

The abuse of cannabis in the Colony still remains on a very small scale and appears to be confined to non-Chinese residents. These people rely on supplies from visitors from overseas.

Small quantities of cannabis are also sent by post to Hong Kong from abroad by friends and associates of the local abusers. During the period under review no significant cases were detected.

Traffic in Narcotics

Local Consumption

There has been no change in the types of dangerous drugs consumed by addicts in Hong Kong or in the methods of consumption.

Cases and Seizures

(a) Cases

During the period under review a total of 10,560 separate drug offences were detected, re- sulting in the arrest of 10,147 persons, of whom 9,604 were convicted before the courts. The schedule at Annexure I gives in detail the breakdown of offences.

(b) Seizures

The total quantities of dangerous drugs seized in the Colony since January 1973, are shown in the table at Annexure II. During the same period, 6,396 individual seizures were made, of which 3,519 involved heroin and 2,645 involved opium. 172 seizures involved other dangerous drugs, the remaining 60 seizures involved non-dangerous drugs.

A comparison in weights of drugs seized during the corresponding periods in the years is shown in the graph at Annexure III.

Prices (All expressed in Hong Kong Dollars)

past four

The following were the average prices of drugs on the illicit wholesale market during the period

under review:—

Opium (raw)

$

132 (79) per 100 gms.

Opium (prepared)

Morphine

Salts of esters of morphine

1st Grade (No. 4)

2nd Grade (No. 3)

$ 251 (119) per 100 gms. $5,500 (4,409) per kilo.

$2,822 (2,116) per 100 gms. $ 706 (423) per 100 gms.

(Figures in brackets show the average prices for the previous Quarter).

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IN CONFIDENCE