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55. During 1990, the overall crime rate increased by 8 per
cent, with armed robberies and theft of vehicles causing the
greatest local concern. The smuggling of electrical appliances, vehicles, etc into China also increased dramatically. In response, new legislation was introduced to enhance enforcement action against smuggling, whilst cooperation was stepped up with the Chinese authorities to
tackle the problem.
Stricter
56. The fight against organised crime continues.
penalties to combat illegal gambling and to deter the
advertising of brothels were enacted. New legislation, to
be published for public consultation during 1991, is being drafted to provide for heavy sentences for convicted members of crime syndicates.
57. Several major international drug trafficking syndicates were broken up during the year, and over $240 million were
seized under the asset seizure legislation enacted in 1989.
Record seizures of cannabis were also made.
58.
Arrangements for mutual legal assistance in the
investigation of drug trafficking and money laundering and the seizure of drug traffickers' assets were negotiated with three foreign jurisdictions and the United Kingdom. Hong
Kong also joined the OECD Financial Action Task Force formed
to combat money laundering.
59. At the same time that laws were toughened up to combat serious crime, steps were taken to abolish corporal punishment. As a result, all forms of corporal punishment were removed from the statute books during 1990.
60. Job opportunties in Hong Kong continued to attract large numbers of illegal immigrants from China. In 1990 a total of 27,826 illegal immigrants were apprehended,
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