ENG-1997 — Page 343

PUBLIC ORDER

The Counterfeit and Forgery Division had another successful year in combating counterfeit credit card activity, the counterfeiting of currency and the use of forged travel documents by illegal immigrants. The fraudulent use of credit cards dropped to its lowest level in five years.

Narcotics

The retail price of No. 4 heroin fluctuated throughout 1997. By the end of 1997, the average purity was 49.49 per cent at the average price of $418.90 per gram compared with a purity of 44.97 per cent and a price of $390.65 at the end of 1996.

During 1997, 169.5 kilograms of opiate drugs, comprising opium and No. 4 heroin, were seized, compared with 309.1 kilograms in 1996. Police and the Customs and Excise Department made 12 483 arrests for narcotics offences, compared with 14 827 in 1996. The decline in seizures was attributed to unlawful syndicates' practice of storing drugs in bulk across the border and then bringing supplies in small quantities into Hong Kong to meet local demand.

Narcotics enforcement resulted in 12 heroin manufacturing and cutting centres being neutralised. A total of 74.6 kilograms of methylamphetamine or 'ice' was seized in 1997, compared with 46.8 kilograms in 1996.

Since the introduction of the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance in September 1989 and the establishment of the Financial Investigation Unit, assets valued at $297 million have been ordered confiscated and a total of $216 million has been paid to the government. Further assets amounting to $169 million were under restraint at the end of 1997, pending confiscation proceedings.

Efforts to prevent young persons from getting involved in the drug trade continued to be a main target of the narcotics enforcement strategy. In 1997, amendments to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance were made and implemented to provide for heavier sentences for adults exploiting young persons in the illegal drug trade. Other plans include the proposed extension of the Superintendent's Discretion Scheme to cover minor opiate offences.

Crime Prevention

The Crime Prevention Bureau continued to promote the principles of self-protection for both the public and private sectors through the provision of target-specific security advice. Demand for its services in architectural design and computer security continued to expand.

Since the implementation of the Security and Guarding Services Ordinance in 1995, more than 700 security companies have applied for licences. The bureau carries out inspections on first application and annually. It also pays close attention to security companies with poor track records to ensure their compliance with the licensing criteria.

The bureau has maintained its public education role through the promotion of domestic security by the Crime Prevention Bus. The 'Robotcop' continues to provide a popular channel of communication to juveniles. It is deployed regularly to schools, youth organisations and fight crime exhibitions.

263