ENG-1990 — Page 308

PUBLIC ORDER

Commercial Crime

During the year, the Commercial Crime Bureau maintained emphasis on the investigation of fraud within the financial and trading sectors. Documentary fraud and dishonest cheque cases remained a prominent feature, resulting in several successful prosecutions.

The Counterfeit and Forgery Division again met with considerable success in the investigation and prosecution of a number of important cases, in particular forged Portuguese and People's Republic of China passports, counterfeit travellers cheques and US$100 notes, amounting to a face value of US$4 million.

There was a marked increase in extraditions in 1990, particularly from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. Close liaison continued to be maintained with a number of overseas law enforcement agencies.

In the light of the considerable number of complaints received concerning dubious foreign exchange companies, various aspects of relevant legislation were examined with a view to improving regulatory controls.

Narcotics

The Golden Triangle's opium crop was in abundance for the 10th year running and there was consequently an overproduction of heroin. Despite very significant seizures during the year, prices remained low.

No. 4 heroin virtually took over the Hong Kong market. Some No. 3 heroin was still being produced but with a purity of below three per cent. The extremely low purity led to most addicts turning to No. 4 heroin as the main drug of abuse.

Locally, major successes against highly-organised trafficking groups were achieved during the year. July saw the culmination of a nine-month-long investigation by the Narcotics Bureau into a syndicate involved in the importation of cannabis from Thailand, which resulted in Hong Kong's largest-ever seizure of cannabis totalling 980 kilograms.

Several large and sophisticated international syndicates were also neutralised and significant quantities of heroin seized following enhanced co-operation with overseas law enforcement agencies. In August, a Hong Kong resident, involved in smuggling heroin into North America, was sentenced by the High Court to 32 years imprisonment, the longest sentence ever handed down in Hong Kong.

In September 1989, Hong Kong enacted the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance 1989. The legislation, which provides for the freezing and confiscating of assets of convicted drug traffickers, took effect in June. Altogether some $240 million worth of assets were restrained under the new legislation during 1990.

Some 265 kilograms of opiate drugs, which comprised opium, No. 3 and No. 4 heroin, were seized compared with 1 154 kilograms in 1989. There were 7 600 arrests for narcotics offences compared to 9 134 the previous year.

Crime Prevention

The Crime Prevention Bureau continued to offer a wide range of services and advice to the community. The field of juvenile-related crime, particularly shop-theft, remained a priority with emphasis also being given to domestic security and vehicle crime.

Juvenile audiences continued to be targetted for 'Robotcop' (a computerised robot) presentations, with over 100 displays being held in schools, shopping centres, youth groups and police station open days throughout the year.

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