ENG-1992 — Page 312

PUBLIC ORDER

Anti-Narcotics Operations The department plays an important role in the prevention and suppression of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs. Apart from suppressing the illicit trafficking of drugs locally, the department also exchanges intelligence and co-operates closely with other Customs administrations and law enforcement agencies in the fight against drug traffickers at the international level.

During the year, the department prosecuted 998 persons for drugs offences and seized 103 kilograms of heroin, 25 kilograms of opium and 73 kilograms of cannabis.

Recovery of Drug Trafficking Proceeds

The department has a responsibility for enforcing the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance which is an effective tool in confiscating assets derived from drug trafficking.

During 1992, the department successfully obtained four court orders prohibiting dealing with realisable properties amounting to $14.6 million which were suspected to be connected with drug trafficking offences. Three cases were concluded with the confiscation of drug proceeds totalling $0.1 million.

Anti-smuggling and Import and Export Controls

In 1992, the department detected 778 smuggling cases under the Import and Export Ordinance, arrested 1 052 persons and seized $223 million worth of goods.

Smuggling between Hong Kong and China remained prevalent in 1992. Smuggling by sea, especially in Tolo Harbour, was particularly serious in early 1992. In May, in order to stop this, the Joint Police/Customs Anti-smuggling Task Force installed a 1.3 kilometre floating boom across the mouth of Tolo Harbour. Since the erection of the boom, smuggling activities have been contained.

In addition to these measures, two legislative amendments, namely the Import and Export (General) Regulations (Amendment of Schedules) Order 1992 and the Import and Export (Carriage of Articles) Regulations (Amendment of Schedule) Order 1992, were introduced in May 1992 to control the import and export of left hand drive vehicles and of outboard engines exceeding 150 horsepower, and the carriage of outboard engines exceeding 150 horsepower by vessels under 250 tons respectively.

Strategic Commodities

To tighten the control of strategic commodities, the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) (Amendment) Regulations 1992 came into effect in May 1992. Licensing control on the import and export of strategic commodities was extended to include certain articles capable of being used in connection with chemical, biological or nuclear weapons, in so far as the importer or exporter knows that they will be used, or suspects that they might be used, for those purposes. The list of controlled articles was also expanded by including certain biological agents.

Customs Co-Operation Council

The Customs Co-Operation Council (CCC), of which Hong Kong is a member, was originally established to improve and rationalise international Customs operations and facilitate international trade. The Customs and Excise Department has assisted the CCC to

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