TNAG-0505-FCO40-570-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 27

ROYAL

HONG KONG

POLICE

IN CONFIDENCE

ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE

NARCOTICS BUREAU BULLETIN

1ST HALF 1974

Introduction

The beginning of 1974 saw a return to the old method of using fishing trawlers and junks to import large quantities of narcotics. However, trawlers have taken the precaution of transferring their consignments to Hong Kong vessels at a point much farther south than in the past, which offers an increased measure of security and greatly increases the difficulty of detection.

2. With large consignments of narcotics again entering the Colony, the illicit price of narcotics has stopped its upward trend, but remains at a much higher level than in 1973.

3. The reappraisal of the role of the Narcotics Bureau, which placed greater emphasis on long term intelligence, has led to more successes during the period under review. Three large scale heroin refineries were successfully neutralized while for the first time a 'factory' producing acetic anhydride was located (reported in detail in paragraphs 16, 17, 21 and 22).

4. At the I.C.P.O.—Interpol General Assembly at Vienna in 1973 a resolution was passed recommending that countries which manufacture and export acetic anhydride take every practical measure to prevent export to countries where heroin is manufactured and co-operate in efforts to monitor the movement of acetic anhydride. With the discovery of a 'factory' illicitly manufacturing the chemical it would appear that a new phase has arrived and it may be necessary to consider further international action.

5. In late June, due to a number of arrests of Hong Kong Chinese in France on narcotics charges, two Narcotics Bureau officers visited Europe to liaise with European Police Forces on the question of drug supplies from the Far East. It was established that a definite link did exist, but that the organization appeared to be based in Amsterdam rather than in Hong Kong. Contacts in the Colony keep a lookout for potential emigrants who may be used to carry narcotics to Europe. The people used were not professional couriers and in many cases were unaware that they were carrying drugs.

6. In the latter half of the period under review, the Triad Society Bureau uncovered an organiza- tion that was supplying and distributing narcotics in Stanley Prison (reported in detail in paragraph 48).

Manufacture

7. During the period under review a total of five heroin manufacturing centres were discovered by the Narcotics Bureau (paragraphs 16-21 refer). Two of the factories were of particular interest in that they were eventually located by police dogs trained in the detection of morphine (paragraphs 17 and 21 refer). A further success was the location of the first 'factory' producing acetic anhydride (paragraph 22 refers).

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