TNAG-0561-FCO40-656-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 90

ARE SUFFICIENT EFFORTS BEING MADE TO REDUCE AND ERADICATE DRUG ADDICTION IN THE COLONY?

5. It is the policy of the Hong Kong Government to stop the illicit trafficking of drugs into and through Hong Kong and to eradicate drug abuse from the community. Every possible effort is being made, with considerable success, in the inter-related

fields of international cooperation, law enforcement, treatment and rehabilitation, education and research.

6.

PROGRESS IN FIGHTING ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFICKING WITHIN HONG KONG

Since 1973 eleven heroin refineries have been neutralised,

two acetic anhydride laboratories discovered, seventeen narcotics stores raided and two imports seized on landing: fifty-eight high-level arrests have been made, comprising twenty-two heroin chemists, twenty-three storekeepers and thirteen couriers, and drugs with a retail value of almost 135 million Hong Kong dollars seized. In addition, three major syndicate bosses have recently received sentences of twenty-five and thirty years imprisonment for offences relating to the import of narcotics.

7.

MEASURES TO CONTROL THE ILLICIT ENTRY OF NARCOTICS INTO THE COLONY

Frequent reconnaissance flights are made over known rendezvous areas south of Hong Kong. Combined police/naval/air operations have twice (the latest in May) forced drug smuggling

trawlers to return to the Gulf of Thailand with their illicit

consignments still aboard. There is close liaison between the Royal Hong Kong Police Force, the Preventive Service and other

units and they take regular effective enforcement action.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

8.

Hong Kong maintains close cooperation with the United Nations, Interpol and other countries throughout South East Asia in tackling the narcotics problem. In addition to the liaison officer in Bangkok, an officer from the Royal Hong Kong Police Force has recently been attached to Interpol Headquarters as the Far Eastern Liaison Officer. This will further strengthen the ties with enforcement agencies in other countries and facilitate the flow of intelligence.

2.

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