G.F. 323 0003230
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commanding officers.
As a rule they operate quite separately, though some joint operations have been mounted.
28.
Details of total prosecutions, convictions and seizures during the past decade are given in Annex A and Annex B. These show that, between them, the Police and the Preventive Service accounted for nearly 17,000 arrests during 1972, mainly under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, and seized over five tons of opium and well over one hundredweight of heroin. Although the Police were responsible for over 85% of these arrests and most of
the seizures, the Preventive Service's contribution was significant. It conducted numerous successful drug raids last year, particularly against opium divans. For whilst its main effort is directed against the import and export of dangerous drugs by sea and air, its general role against contraband (including these drugs) sometimes involves operations on land.
29.
Their independent but co-extensive roles in this field lead to rivalry between the Police and the Preventive Service. This can be healthy. But it has sometimes in the past caused misunderstandings, resulting in an unfortunate and potentially dangerous lack of liaison.
(b) Possible Future Arrangements.
30.
In view of this, and of the inherent difficulties of dealing with a clandestine but enormously profitable trade, it is for consideration whether a special independent unit should be formed. Such a unit might be on the lines of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Prima facie, such a proposition is attractive. But unless the unit took over all present Police and Freventive Service responsibilities for enforcing the laws about dangerous drugs, the outcome would be that three bodies
were involved rather than two leading to more expense and even greater risk of misunderstandings.
It would also
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