ENG-2008 — Page 369

Public Order | 301

The Technology Crime Division was responsible for ensuring Internet security during the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events. It also quickly identified and arrested all known suspects after rumours regarding the liquidity and potential debts of some Hong Kong banks appeared on websites and 'blogs' in September 2008.

Narcotics

Tackling youth drug abuse was a priority for the Police Force in 2008. The Police Force participated in the Task Force on Youth Drug Abuse headed by the Secretary for Justice and took steps to enhance the Police's role in preventive education and publicity as well as in enforcement action.

The overall number of people arrested for drug offences increased by 10.5 per cent compared with 2007. The number of people under 21 years old arrested for drug-related offences increased by 34.2 per cent.

The Narcotics Bureau's local enforcement action and joint efforts with the Mainland and overseas counterparts to interdict cross-boundary and international trafficking activities led to numerous arrests, the dismantling of drug production sites. and substantial drug seizures. In an operation conducted jointly with the Mainland authorities, a total of 309 kilogrammes of precursor chemicals and finished methamphetamine along with 40 000 ecstasy tablets were seized. In all, a total of eight illicit drug manufacturing enterprises in the Asian region were dismantled with assistance from the Narcotics Bureau.

Financial Investigation

During the year, the Police made greater use of financial investigation in combating local and transnational crimes. A number of people were prosecuted for money laundering, and substantial amounts of criminal assets were restrained and confiscated.

The Police maintained close co-operation with overseas law enforcement agencies in anti-money laundering operations and in countering the financing of terrorism. It also provided training to law enforcement agencies in the region to enhance their financial investigation capability.

Illegal Immigration

During the year, the Police Force and the Immigration Department arrested 2 368 Mainland illegal immigrants, a decrease of 21 per cent compared to 3 007 in 2007; and 1 617 Vietnamese illegal immigrants and other non-ethnic Chinese illegal immigrants, a decrease of 21 per cent compared to 2 041 in 2007. The decrease in the number of illegal immigrants arrested was due to the deterrent effect of successful joint operations carried out by the Police Force, the Immigration Department and their Mainland counterparts in recent years. In 2008, the Police Force, the Immigration Department and the Guangdong Border Defence Bureau continued to maintain close liaison through regular meetings and exchange of intelligence.