TNAG-0562-FCO40-657-Review-of-narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1975 — Page 3

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Foreign and Commonwealth Office London SW1A 2AH

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Telephone 01-

JP Law Esq

British Embassy

Bangkok

Your reference

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No. 51

Our reference

UM 45/11

Date

30 December 1975

31 DEC1975

19

166

Dead Louw,

!

NARCOTICS: SOUTH EAST ASIA

اما

It

1. Mr Denis Sandberg of the United States Embassy called on me just before Christmas to express American concern at the rise in narcotics trafficking from South East Asia to Europe. He pointed out that in 1972 a total of 22 pounds of Asian heroin was seized in Europe, while last year such seizures had risen to 195 pounds. seems that the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany continue to ¡be the main targets for South East Asian traffickers, but the Americans believe that the market for Asian heroin in Europe will increase until its supply from South East Asia, particularly Thailand, can be curtailed. They fear that Europe may also become a transit point for Asian heroin moving towards the United States and they wish to stop 'this potential source of supply before trafficking organisations can become firmly established.

·

2.

The Americans therefore believe it desirable that European countries express their concern to the Thais and other South East Asian 'Governments in order to bring pressure on them to increase their

narcotics suppression efforts. They have also suggested that European Governments should assign narcotics experts to Bangkok in order to co-ordinate suppression efforts. Mr bandberg therefore asked me what the UK could do to help. I explained to Mr Sandberg that the Hong Kong Government already had a narcotics expert attached to our Embassy in Bangkok (he was aware of this) and that you already kept a very close eye on the situation. I pointed out that you had long law enforcement experience and that you were much concerned with anti-narcotics co-operation and liaison. Mr Sandberg seemed happy with this, but I promised him that I would inform you of his approach.

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CAST PARES

c.c. Mr de Denney

Home Office

HKIOD, FCO SEAD, FCO

Yours

ever,

Kobm Oaren

A TR Oaten

United Nations Department

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