ENG-2007 — Page 366

310 Public Order

627 people were arrested. Through cooperation with the Mainland customs, six kilogrammes of heroin were seized and eight people arrested.

Boundary Control

The department started providing a customs clearance service at the two new control points commissioned in 2007. The Shenzhen Bay Control Point commenced operation on July 1 and is the first land boundary control point where Hong Kong's customs and immigration clearance facilities are located next to those of the Mainland. On the Hong Kong side, one-stop service is provided for vehicles at combined kiosks for immigration and customs clearance. The new mode of service helps to smooth and speed up the flow of cross-boundary passengers and vehicles. The Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point commenced operation on August 15. The Spur Line is the second cross-boundary railway linking Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Anti-smuggling Operations

Smuggling carried out across the Hong Kong-Mainland boundary remains an enforcement concern. In 2007, a total of 172 smuggling attempts were detected, resulting in the arrest of 352 people and about $435 million worth of smuggled goods seized. Evasion of tariff or duty as well as other import and export regulatory controls was the major motive for smuggling.

Computer parts, electrical and electronic appliances, optical discs and precious metals remained the common items smuggled from Hong Kong to the Mainland. As a result of rising living standards on the Mainland, the demand for luxurious items such as high-end computer products, Chinese tonics, leather and fur has greatly increased. On the other hand, cigarettes, counterfeit goods, meat and poultry which are cheaper on the Mainland were smuggled from there to Hong Kong.

The department continues to liaise closely with both local and overseas law enforcement agencies which together make concerted efforts to combat smuggling activities. Enhanced cooperation with the Mainland authorities by exchanging intelligence and mounting parallel operations at the land boundary control points and at sea yielded satisfactory enforcement results.

Customs Headquarters Building

The construction of a 34-storey Customs Headquarters Building in North Point commenced in April 2007 and is scheduled for completion in 2010. It will house the currently dispersed offices of the department under one roof and provide new facilities to support various operational needs. It will enhance efficiency and security in customs enforcement activities. It will also mean greater convenience for members of public who will be provided with centralised one-stop customs services.

Narcotics Division

The Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau is tasked with coordinating policies and ways to fight drug abuse, money laundering and terrorist financing.