TNAG-0504-FCO40-569-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 17

IN CONFIDENCE

Cannabis and its Derivatives

15. The abuse of cannabis continues on a small scale and in the main is confined to non-Chinese residents. There is no evidence of cannabis being imported by drug syndicates. Importation appears to be confined to the individuals bringing in small amounts. During the period under review a total of nine arrests and two seizures were made. The largest case involved a Nepalese male who had almost 9 lbs. of cannabis resin in his possession. This case is fully reported at paragraph 35.

Traffic in Narcotics

Local Consumption

16. The types of dangerous drugs and the methods of consumption in Hong Kong have remained unchanged although the very considerable price spiral has led to a greater number of heroin addicts engaging in the dangerous habit of injecting No. 3 heroin.

Cases and Seizures

(a) Cases

During the period under review a total of 10,326 separate drug offences were detected, resulting in the arrest of 9,792 persons, of whom 9,588 were convicted before the courts. The schedule at Appendix I gives in detail the breakdown of offences,

(b) Seizures

The quantities of dangerous drugs seized in the Colony since July 1973, are shown in the table at Appendix II. During the same period 6,317 individual seizures were made of which 3,728 involved heroin and 2,401 involved opium. 131 seizures involved other dangerous drugs, the remaining 57 seizures involved non-dangerous drugs. A comparison in weights of drugs seized during the corresponding periods in the last four years is shown in the graph at Appendix III.

Prices (All expressed in Hong Kong Dollars)

18. The following were the average prices of drugs on the illicit wholesale market during the period under review:-

Opium (raw)

100 $121 (132) per gms.

$240 (251) per 100 gms.

Opium (prepared)

Morphine

Salts of Esters of Morphine

1st Grade (No. 4)

2nd Grade (No. 3)

$9,203 (4,500) per kilo

$3,014 (2,822) per 100 gms.

$1,090 (706) per 100 gms.

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

It should be noted that these are average prices only; during the period of acute shortage prices for morphine rose to over $11,000 per kilo, and for heroin over $3,380 per 100 gms. for No. 4 and $1,700 for 100 gms. for No. 3. The retail price of No. 3 heroin for the same period was in the region of $31,000 per kilo.

Preventive Service

19. Between July and December 1973, 481 ocean-going vessels were searched and guards placed on 429 others to deter the smuggling of narcotics. During the same period a total of 123,108 pieces of incoming cargo and 8,673 postal packets were also examined.

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IN

CONFIDENCE