ENG-2002 — Page 392

PUBLIC ORDER

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vehicle's fuel tank at any location other than those licensed under the Dangerous Goods Ordinance is presumed to be dutiable. Following an amendment to the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance in February 2001, light diesel oil found in the fuel tank of a motor vehicle with a sulphur content in excess of that stipulated in the Air Pollution Control (Motor Vehicle Fuel) Regulation is presumed to be dutiable. The Air Pollution Control (Motor Vehicle Fuel) Regulation that came into effect on April 1, 2002, lowered the stipulated sulphur content to 0.005 per cent by weight.

Resulting from the enhanced deterrent effect against offenders and the department's vigorous enforcement action, the number of illicit filling stations was reduced from 35 in 2001 to 27 in 2002. The department neutralised 27 illicit oil detreating plants and 13 synthetic petrol manufactories; 751 persons were arrested. Altogether, 2.14 million litres of various types of illicit fuel, valued at $14.22 million, were seized. The duty potential of the seized illicit fuel amounted to $7.83 million, an increase of 44 compared with 2001.

Anti-narcotics Operations

per cent

The department continued to take vigorous enforcement action to prevent and suppress the unlawful manufacture, distribution and trafficking of dangerous drugs, and to trace, confiscate and recover proceeds accrued in illegal drug activities. It also enforces the Control of Chemicals Ordinance, which aims at preventing the diversion of chemicals for illicit manufacture of dangerous drugs and psychotropic substances. The Customs Drug Investigation Bureau is the department's major investigative arm in combating illicit drugs. The bureau's main functions are to conduct investigations and surveillance to combat illegal manufacture, trafficking or use of drugs. In addition, the department works closely with the Police Force and also various drug enforcement agencies in the Mainland and overseas in exchanging intelligence and arresting drug criminals.

In 2002, the department dealt with 85 drug trafficking cases and broke up 20 drug distribution centres. Officers seized 12.4 kilograms of heroin, 384.4 kilograms of herbal cannabis, 7.6 kilograms of cocaine, 25.8 kilograms of methamphetamine ('ice'), 33.7 kilograms of ketamine, 29 703 tablets and 2.1 kilograms of MDMA ('ecstasy') and 42 774.5 tablets of other psychotropic drugs. A total of 765 persons were arrested for drug-related offences. Drug proceeds amounting to $3.14 million were restrained.

Boundary Control

In 2002, vehicular traffic movements through the three control points at Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To and Sha Tau Kok increased by 9.6 per cent to 12 423 196 compared with 2001.

To further enhance the Customs' capabilities in processing the ever increasing numbers of cross-boundary passengers and vehicles, the Lok Ma Chau Control Point Expansion Project Phase II was launched and is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2003. The project covers the expansion of the passenger terminal, improvement of the cargo examination facilities, reprovisioning of the existing vehicle processing kiosks, and the installation of two fixed X-ray vehicle inspection systems which will be commissioned in February 2003. In addition, the installation of an Automatic Vehicle Recognition System at the Lok Ma Chau, Ma Kam To and Sha