TNAG-0561-FCO40-656-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 136

IN

CONFIDENCE

23. On 26th November 1974, at Hong Kong Airport, officers of the Preventive Service examined a suitcase belonging to Thai female Viliarat CHUENSUPUMTHARAT on her arrival from Bangkok. Concealed in the false bottom of the suitcase the officers found 29 packets containing 2.561 kilo- grammes of a mixture containing 1,862 kilogrammes of a salt of morphine. CHUENSUPUMTHARAT was arrested and charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs for the Purpose of Unlawful Trafficking; she was sentenced to 5 years' imprisonment.

(PS/109/55/74)

24. On 14th December 1974, officers of the Preventive Service carried out a routine search on board the "Tai Lung Shan' which had recently arrived from Bangkok. Six blocks of morphine (999) were recovered from an air pipe leading to the boiler in the engine room. The seizure comprised 7.492 kilogrammes of a mixture containing 6.7081 kilogrammes of a salt of morphine. This repre- sented the largest drug seizure made from an ocean going vessel since 1972. No arrest was made.

(PS/110/225/74)

25. On 15th December 1974, officers of the Preventive Service searched the 'Asphalion' on her arrival from Bangkok via Manila. Two seizures of cannabis were made, totalling 2.1346 kilogrammes. An Indonesian crew member, Tumbelaka Sonny ABRAHAM was arrested and charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs for the Purpose of Unlawful Trafficking. Based on information supplied by the ship's master, and on the advice of Crown Counsel, the quartermaster Eddy Simon BATEN was also arrested for Trafficking in 11.0 kilogrammes of cannabis which the ship's master had found in the crew cabin on 7th December 1974 and dumped overboard into the high seas. BATEN admitted he had bought the cannabis in Bangkok, and intended to sell it in England. ABRAHAM was fined HK$500 and given a one year suspended prison sentence. BATEN was given a two year suspended prison

sentence.

(PS/110/226/74) (PS/110/227/74)

26. On 16th December 1974, officers of the Preventive Service arrested Australian Robert George KEMP in the Hong Kong Airport Transit Lounge for possession of 531.2 grammes of cannabis resin found in a cigarette carton he was carrying. KEMP was charged with trafficking in the drug and fined HK$5,000 with an option of a three month prison sentence in lieu,

Storage/Distribution

(PS/109/59/74)

27. On 8th July 1974, officers of the Preventive Service raided Pak Tin Tsuen, Sha Tin. Following a search a quantity of opium and opium smoking paraphernalia was found in the orchard. The seizure comprised 14.328 kilogrammes of raw opium and 2.792 kilogrammes of prepared opium. No arrest was made.

(PS/101/258/74)

28. On 12th July 1974, following a period of surveillance, officers of the Preventive Service raided a heroin packing centre in Sheung Shui, New Territories. A quantity of No. 3 heroin and barbitone were seized, together with packing materials and equipment. The total seizure comprised 14.921 kilogrammes of a mixture containing 5.361 kilogrammes of salts of esters of morphine, and 1.307 kilogrammes of a mixture containing 590.7 grammes of barbitone. One Chinese female, YEUNG Yin-hing (2799/3348/0615) and one Chinese male Ho Nam (0149/0589), were arrested and charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs for the Purpose of Unlawful Trafficking. YEUNG escaped from Sheung Shui Police Station and a warrant has been issued for her arrest. She is currently under arrest in Taiwan. Ho was convicted and sentenced to 7 years' imprisonment.

(PS/101/269/74)

29. On 16th July 1974, following a long period of surveillance, officers of the Narcotics Bureau raided a bungalow in Tung Lo Wan, Sha Tin. Following a search of the premises, 110 blocks of 999 morphine and 424 packets of raw opium was seized from two bedrooms. Two women found in the bungalow, CHENG Hoi-chun (6774/1947/3791) and her daughter Yeung Kiu-lin (2779/1293/5571), were arrested and charged with Possession of Dangerous Drugs for the Purpose of Unlawful Trafficking. The drugs seized comprised 853.3 kilogrammes of raw opium and 123.04 kilogrammes of a mixture containing 117.93 kilogrammes of a salt of morphine. The case is pending.

9

(ST/CR/269/74)

IN CONFIDENCE