ENG-1972 — Page 170

PUBLIC ORDER

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Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories throughout the year, and the success of these activities is reflected in the increased revenue collected from dutiable commodities being $462,868,841 in 1972, as opposed to $440,601,288 in 1971, an increase of $22,267,553.

The service is also committed to the suppression of illicit traffic in dangerous drugs and achieved a notable degree of success during the period. Officers engaged in the prevention and detention of illegal trafficking in dangerous drugs conducted round- the-clock operations throughout the year. While, what is known of the extent of this pernicious trade leaves no room for complacency, a high degree of success was achieved. On six occasions, attempts to illegally import large quantities of dangerous drugs by sea were forestalled and the entire consignments, amounting to 6,040 lbs of raw opium and 665 lbs of morphine were seized. The persons involved were arrested and dealt with according to law. In addition, significant quantities of dangerous drugs were seized from ocean-going vessels entering both the port and Hong Kong Interna- tional Airport. Particularly noteworthy were the results achieved by the enlarged Inves- tigation Bureau in raids against opium and heroin divans, storage and manufacturing centres. A total of 292 establishments used for trafficking, manufacturing, storage and smoking of dangerous drugs were raided and 1,598 persons, a record number of traffickers and smokers of dangerous drugs, were arrested and brought before the courts. Overall operations designed to combat every aspect of the trade in dangerous drugs resulted in the arrest of 2,098 persons and the seizure of 7,767 lbs of various forms of dangerous drugs having a retail value in excess of $44,900,000.

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