TNAG-0820-FCO40-1027-Narcotics-problem-in-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 357

SEGRET

SAU-CHAI (2201-2287-2093), WHO IS KNOWN TO THE NARCOTICS BUREAU AND IS AT PRESENT UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE BUREAU IN CONNECTION

WITH THIS CASE.

6. A FURTHER REQUEST WAS MADE TO THE BUREAU ON 15.7.77 FOR CLEARANCE TO RELEASE CRIMINAL RECORDS OF CHAN AND YIP TO NIGHTINGALE'S COUNSEL THIS WAS AGREED SUBJECT TO THE INFORMATION ALSO BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PROSECUTION AND THE COURT GENERALLY.

7. THE FIRST INFORMATION THE BUREAU HEARD OF ANY REQUEST FOR ARREST/EXTRADITION OF EITHER CHAN OR YIP CAME FROM THE HONG KONG PRESS REPORT OF COURT PROCEEDINGS IN BANGKOK (DATED 19.8.77).

8. ON 25.8.77, THE BUREAU RECEIVED TELEGRAM NO. 663 REQUESTING UP-TO-DATE SITUATION REGARDING THE EXTRADITION OF YIP AND CHAN, FOLLOWED BY A FURTHER CABLE ON 26.8.77 REQUESTING COMMENTS.

9. TO DATE, NO REQUEST HAS YET BEEN MADE TO THE BUREAU BY BANGKOK AUTHORITIES FOR THE EXTRADITION OF EITHER OF THE MEN NAMED.

10. CHAN MING-FAI IS AT PRESENT IN CUSTODY IN HONG KONG AWAITING COMMITTAL FOR CONSPIRACY TO TRAFFIC IN DANGEROUS DRUGS. THIS IS A SEPARATE (REPEAT SEPERATE) CASE WHERE BUREAU OFFICERS INFILTRATED A COURIER RECRUITING ORGANISATION WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY LED TO THE ARREST OF CHAN AND THREE OTHERS.

11. YIP AND CHEUNG ARE, SO FAR AS IS KNOWN, IN HONG KONG, AND EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO TRACE THEM.

12. ANY REQUEST FROM BANGKOK FOR THE EXTRADITION OF. ANY OF THE THREE MALES MENTIONED ABOVE WOULD RECEIVE THE IMMEDIATE ACTION OF THE HONG KONG NARCOTICS BUREAU.

MACLEHOSE

FILES

CONS D SEAD HKGD

SEORET

COPIES TO:

MR.de DENEY,

HO.