TNAG-1709-FCO40-2384-Hong-Kong-narcotics-offences-and-drug-trafficking-1988 — Page 56

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

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DEA has invited a GOC chemist to attend a training seminar in the U.S.

Two psychiatrists, one from the GOC Ministry of Health and one from Northern Cyprus, participated in a 26-day USIS international visitor

visitor program on drug abuse control last

March.

EGYPT

Summary. The first half of 1987 has seen a dramatic increase in seizures of heroin destined for Egyptian markets. Two major traffickers have been arrested. Opium eradication appears to have tapered off, but the reasons are not yet clear. Transit routes appear to be shifting. A new Letter of Agreement on

on narcotics assistance was signed in June, and the outlook is favorable for continued US/GOE coordination and cooperation.

End Summary.

There has been a dramatic increase in seizures of heroin destined for the Egyptian market. During the first half of 1987, some 40 kgs destined for local consumption have been seized compared to nine kgs during all of 1986. Two major traffickers were arrested during the period. One is currently jailed and awaiting trial after seizure of six kgs of heroin and two kgs of opium. The second was arrested in India,

India, as a result of Anti-Narcotics General Administration (ANGA) and DEA investigations here, for possession of 2.5 kgs of heroin. This second trafficker, having posted bail in India, has jumped bail and is now a fugitive from justice there.

ANGA has made

serious inquiries to DEA

DEA concerning U.S. asset seizure laws. The GOE has similar laws but these require seized assets to be criminally judged concurrently with the accused trafficker. This can cause considerable delays, e.g., a seized vehicle can sit for

sit for two years or more awaiting the outcome of the judicial process against its owner. The result is that the vehicle sits untended and at the mercy of the elements, not able to be commandeered by the authorities for their own use, and often useless for any function by the time a judicial decision is reached. The U.S. will provide materials and consultation to explain the difference between civil and criminal forfeiture.

A new Letter of Agreement (LOA) on narcotics assistance was signed on June 22 by Ambassador Wisner and GOE Minister of Interior Zaki Badr. Under a grant totaling fifty thousand dollars, the U.S. furnished computer equipment for telephone systems control, an operations van, and X-ray equipment for airport detection operations, while Egypt provided space for

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