ENG-2014 — Page 323

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Public Order

The department takes sustained action to stamp out illicit fuel activities. In 2014, it solved 62 illicit fuel cases, arrested 85 people and seized 19,600 litres of illicit fuel. There were 26.2 per cent fewer cases than in 2013.

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 exchanges intelligence with local, Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking.

In 2014, the department dealt with 273 drug trafficking cases and smashed 10 drug storage and distribution centres, seizing 1,035 kilograms of assorted dangerous drugs and arresting 445 people. To counter the recent significant increase in drugs trafficked via Hong Kong, the department engaged the logistics industry's support and strengthened co-operation with Mainland and overseas counterparts. As a result, in 2014 there were almost six times more arrests made locally and three times more arrests abroad in relation to transnational drug trafficking than in 2013. Co-operation with the Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies resulted in the seizure of 222 kilograms of assorted dangerous drugs and the arrest of 36 persons in the Mainland and overseas.

As part of the government's vigorous efforts in combating youth drug abuse, 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 collaborated with non-governmental organisations to encourage young people to stay away from drugs and lead a healthy life.

Anti-smuggling Operations

Smuggling across the Hong Kong-Mainland boundary remains an enforcement concern. In 2014, 216 Hong Kong-Mainland smuggling attempts were detected, with 267 people arrested and $382 million worth of smuggled goods seized. Tablet computers, mobile phones and computer central processing units were the main items smuggled into the Mainland. Cigarettes, which are cheaper in the Mainland, and counterfeit goods were often smuggled into Hong Kong.

The department collaborates with other law enforcement agencies to combat smuggling activities through exchange of intelligence and the mounting of parallel operations. The department works closely with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to detect and prevent the smuggling of food and animals.

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Not including 6,464 kilograms of Khat which contained substances subject to control under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

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