TNAG-0820-FCO40-1027-Narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 17

Chapter 9

Illicit Export of Drugs from Hong Kong

Diminishing export of drugs from Hong Kong

Effective law enforcement action, coupled with a dramatic rise in the prices of drugs, have continued to discourage overseas traffickers from seeking supplies in Hong Kong during the year under review. This was especially so when the Preventive Service set up a special unit at the Hong Kong International Airport in 1975 to intercept couriers leaving Hong Kong with drug consignments. Within the first two months of its operation (November and December 1975), the unit successfully intercepted seven couriers, all carrying number 3 heroin and departing either for Amsterdam or Paris. These arrests had the effect of deterring traffickers from making further attempts to export drugs directly from Hong Kong. Indeed the only couriers caught at the Airport in 1976 were two Dutch males who were leaving for Europe with 3.25 kg of number 3 heroin in January.

2 The diminishing export of drugs from Hong Kong was further evidenced by the declining number of overseas buyers and couriers arrested in Hong Kong in possession of locally manufactured heroin during the year. When arrested, such people were usually found to be inexperienced, small-time traffickers carrying relatively small quantities of illicit drugs.

Export to Europe

3 It is believed that exporters of illicit drugs to Europe are now using Thailand and Malaysia as major exporting centres, largely because factors such as their larger land areas and the opportunities for concealment afforded by their topography and vegetation facilitate manufacture and processing, and con- sequently, availability. This, combined with the price being cheaper because of the proximity to the source of supply, provides better export facilities. Couriers are either recruited locally in these countries or in other parts of Southeast Asia. At times, nationals of Western countries are also used. As far as couriers recruited from Hong Kong are concerned, they are normally not supplied with heroin until they stop over in Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur en route to Europe. In these circumstances, searches at the Hong Kong Airport only serves to alarm the couriers. Better results can be, and have been, achieved by alerting the authorities in Europe where the couriers are destined for. A number of arrests were made through such co-operation during the year.

4 Amsterdam is now considered to be Europe's major drug centre where Southeast Asian heroin (mostly number 3 heroin which is dubbed "brown sugar" in Europe) is not only consumed but distributed to other parts of the continent. Improved anti-drug liaison has resulted from visits to Hong Kong by representa- tives of the Netherlands Ministry of Justice, the Dutch Police Directorate and the Amsterdam Police. (See also Chapter 15.)

Export to North America and Australia

5 Apart from co-operating with European authorities, Hong Kong also took part in a series of joint operations during the year to inhibit the flow of Thai

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and Malaysian heroin to North America and Australia. These operations were carried out between the Narcotics Bureau of the Police Force, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the police ces of Thailand and Australia. A number of major syndicates engaged in this affic were smashed. It is hoped that operations such as these, which were initiated as a result of exchange of operational information in 1975, will reduce the export of heroin both from Hong Kong and other cities in Southeast Asia.

6 It is encouraging to note that the United States authorities have reported a steady decline in the illicit import of heroin from Southeast Asia. Less than 10 per cent of the heroin reaching the U.S.A. is estimated to have originated in Southeast Asia.

Trafficking of psychotropic substances to Japan

7 During the year, ten people were arrested for attempting to export amphe- tamines to Japan. Until recently, this stimulant was controlled under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance which provides relatively light punishment for offences committed against its provisions. In January 1977, amphetamines and metha- qualone were brought under the control of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, which provides for a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of up to $5 millions for trafficking or manufacturing. It is anticipated that this will be useful not only in combatting the current illicit export of these drugs but also as a timely preventive measure against possible abuse of these drugs in Hong Kong in the future.

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