GEMINI
NEWS
SERVICE
HKOD
GAS 188
HONG KONG CRACKS DOWN ON DRUGS "KINGS"
92
ASIA COLUMN
RECET REGISTRY No.52 119 JT
14KK1911
Hong kong's vice barons
Australian police have tightened airport security in their moves against an Australian- Asian drugs smuggling ring which has already cost the lives of five Sydney teenagers. The police say they have evidence that concentrated heroin is being smuggled into the country from Hong Kong, Burma and Indonesia. Recently, after the first big Hong Kong drugs trial, nine Chinese were jailed for a total of 124 years. A Gemini News Service Asia columnist reports on the drugs racket in Hong Kong, where there are at least 100,000 addicts.
By CHRISTA TISDALL
HOYE KONG
received a severe jolt recently with the jailing of two "drugs kings" and seven (including one woman) of their henchmen for a total of 124 years.
But most people in Hong Kong are convinced that the nine traffickers represent just the tip of an enormous drugs rackets which has ramifications far from the colony.
The sensational trial, which lasted four weeks, set two landmarks. The first was the case itself. Supreme Court Judge, Mr. Justice Cons, described it as unique because there had been no trial like it in local history.
The second was the green light it gave to the authorities to take action to smash all the major drugs syndicates operating in Hong Kong. The size of the trade can be judged by the number of addicts in the colony. Estimates say the re are at least 100,000.
The nine, all Chinese, were convicted of conspiring to traffic in dangerous drugs during two separate periods of time between 1967 and last year. They received sentences ranging from seven to thirty years.
The ringleader in both conspiracies was Ng Sik-ho, 45. He received a 30- year sentence. The second defendant, Ng Chun-kwan, 49, head of another syndicate, was sentenced to 25 years.
Ng Sik-ho came to Hong Kong from China in 1958. In 1960, he was convicted for possession of dangerous drugs, and sentenced to one year in jail. In 1967, he and Ng Chun-kwan became partners in a drug trafficking syndicate based in Hong Kong. They split up the following year after a disagreement. In 1969, Ng Chun-kwan formed and headed his own organisation.
21 John Street, London WC1N 2BS
Telephone: 01-353 2567 Cables; GEMININEWS London PS4
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.