TNAG-0505-FCO40-570-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 153

PICK 19/2

FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1974

STIFF PENALTIES FOR DRUG OFFENDERS NEW BILLS PROPOSE $1 MILLION FINES AND CANING

******

MAXIMUM FINES OF $1 MILLION FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING AND CORPORAL PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE CONVICTED OF DRUG OFFENCES COMMITTED FOR PROFIT, THESE ARE THE PROPOSALS IN DRAFT LEGISLATION PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.

THE LEGISLATION, THE DANGEROUS DRUGS CAMENDMENT) BILL 1974 AND THE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT CAMENDMENT) BILL 1974, RESULT FROM THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER 'THE PROBLEM OF DANGEROUS DRUGS IN HONG KONG IN MARCH THIS YEAR.

IT INCLUDES AN AMENDMENT TO CLOSE A PRESENT LOOPHOLE IN LEGISLATION CONCERNING THE PREPARATION OF DANGEROUS DRUGS. IT CREATES THE OFFENCE OF OFFERING TO DO, OR DOING ANY ACT IN PREPARATION TO THE MANUFACTURE OF A DANGEROUS DRUG.

ALL THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO COMBAT THE ILLICIT DRUG TRADE IN HONG KONG HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN).

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 134) ARE :-

* IN SECTION 4, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR TRAFFICKING IN A

DANGEROUS DRUG IS RAISED ON INDICTMENT FROM LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND $100,000 TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND $1 MILLION, AND ON SUMMARY CONVICTION FROM THREE YEARS AND $50,000 TO THREE YEARS AND $500,000.

*

*

*

THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR MANUFACTURING A DANGEROUS DRUG IN SECTION 6 IS INCREASED FROM LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND $100,000 TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND $1 MILLION. ALL CASES ARE TRIED ON INDICTMENT.

THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES IN SECTION 7, POSSESSION OF A DANGEROUS DRUG FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRAFFICKING, ARE RAISED ON INDICTMENT FROM LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND $100,000 TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT AND $1 MILLION, AND ON SUMMARY CONVICTION FROM THREE YEARS AND $50,000 TO THREE YEARS AND $500,000.

THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES IN SECTION 35 FOR KEEPING A DIVAN ARE RAISED FROM 15 YEARS AND $100,000 ON INDICTMENT TO 15 YEARS AND $1 MILLION, AND ON SUMMARY CONVICTION FROM THREE YEARS AND $10,000 TO THREE YEARS AND $500,000.

* IN SECTION 37, WILFULLY PERMITTING A PREMISES TO BE USED

AS A DIVAN, OR FOR UNLAWFUL TRAFFICKING IN, OR FOR THE UNLAWFUL MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF A DANGEROUS DRUG, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY ON INDICTMENT IS INCREASED FROM 10 YEARS AND $50,000 TO 15 YEARS AND $1 MILLION, AND ON SUMMARY CONVICTION FROM THREE YEARS AND $10,000 TO THREE YEARS AND $500,000.

/* IN SECTION

าจ