ENG-2010 — Page 384

322 Public Order

The department took sustained action to stamp out illicit fuel activities. In 2010, it solved 362 illicit fuel cases, arrested 320 people and seized 470 000 litres of illicit fuel. The number of seizures was 41 per cent less than that of 2009.

Anti-narcotics Operations

The department continues to take vigorous enforcement action to prevent and suppress the unlawful manufacture, distribution and trafficking of dangerous drugs; to trace, confiscate and recover drug proceeds from illegal drug activities; and to prevent the diversion of chemicals used for the illicit manufacture of dangerous drugs. It also maintains close co-operation and exchange of intelligence with local, Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking.

In 2010, the department dealt with 148 drug trafficking cases and neutralised two drug manufactories and 15 drug storage and distribution centres. A total of 693 kilogrammes of assorted dangerous drugs were seized and 370 people arrested. The department smashed two major drugs operations in July and December and seized 89 kilogrammes of methamphetamine and 286.3 kilogrammes of cocaine. Co-operation with the Mainland and overseas Customs administrations resulted in the seizure of 29.7 million tablets containing precursor chemicals and 18.7 kilogrammes of assorted dangerous drugs in the Mainland and overseas.

As part of the Government's vigorous efforts to combat drug abuse by young people, the department strengthened enforcement at boundary control points by stepping up checks on cross-boundary coaches and private vehicles, deploying more detector dogs and plainclothes officers in operations, exchanging intelligence and mounting parallel operations with its Mainland counterparts. It also collaborates with non-governmental organisations to help young people stay away from drugs and to lead a healthy life.

Anti-smuggling Operations

Smuggling carried out across the Hong Kong-Mainland boundary remains an enforcement concern. In 2010, a total of 200 Hong Kong-Mainland smuggling attempts were detected, resulting in the arrest of 219 people and the seizure of about $357 million worth of smuggled goods.

Computer products and electronic products such as mobile phones and accessories were the main items smuggled from Hong Kong to the Mainland. Cigarettes, which are cheaper in the Mainland, and counterfeit goods were often smuggled from the Mainland to Hong Kong.

The department continues to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies. to combat smuggling activities through exchange of intelligence and the mounting of parallel operations.

To detect and prevent smuggling of food and animals, the department works closely with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department in carrying out surveillance and enforcement activities, publicity campaigns and intelligence exchange.