breaking and similar offences. Notable successes were obtained in the location by a specially trained dog of a large quantity of opium on board an ocean-going ship and the tracking of illegal immigrants in the New Territories.
173. Police Dog Championships were held in the Colony for the first time during the year and teams were entered by the Army, the Royal Air Force and the Police. The Police team succeeded in gaining trophies both for the individual Champion Police Dog and for the most successful team.
Police Drugs Disposal Unit
174. This unit is responsible for the reception, storage and sub- sequent destruction of all dangerous drugs confiscated by the Courts. The maintenance of detailed and accurate records is an important function and disposals are attended by a board consisting of a member of the Audit Department, the Police Chemist and a senior police officer. All drugs are destroyed by incineration with the exception of raw opium over one pound in weight.
175. 12,997 items were received by the unit during the year-an increase of over 50%-and over 2,000 lbs. of raw opium forwarded to the Medical and Health Department for legitimate use.
Triad Societies Bureau
176. Despite intensive police action against triad societies for the past three years, triad members are still numerous and active although overt violent triad activities such as gang fights are now rare. Towards the end of the year there was some reason to believe that forcible recruitment of triad members was declining, but it remains to be seen whether this trend is maintained.
177. During the year 3,521 triad members were prosecuted before the Courts, a slight increase over the preceding year; 3,494 were con- victed. The punishments imposed were generally light but in cases. involving specially important members, more substantial sentences were given. In addition, seventy triad members were arrested under the provisions of the Deportation of Aliens Ordinance and 23 offences of 'Acting as a Triad Member' were successfully prosecuted.
178. A Triad Societies Sub-Section was formed in Kowloon during the year, complementing the sub-section already in existence on Hong Kong Island. These sub-sections were responsible for the arrest and prosecution of some of the more important triad members; the Triad
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