ENG-2015 — Page 318

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Public Order

abuse of duty-free cigarette concessions (a decrease of 11.2 per cent compared with 2014), involving 2.5 million sticks of cigarettes.

The department takes sustained action to stamp out illicit fuel activities. In 2015, it solved 42 illicit fuel cases, arrested 41 people and seized 13,200 litres of illicit fuel. There were 32.3 per cent fewer cases than in 2014.

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 2015, the department dealt with 248 drug trafficking cases and smashed 24 drug storage and distribution centres and one drug manufacturing and attenuating centre, seizing 1,213kg of assorted dangerous drugs2 and arresting 365 people. To counter a 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, 1,000kg of assorted dangerous drugs were seized and 44 people were arrested on the Mainland and overseas, an increase of 349 per cent in the quantity of dangerous drugs seized and 22 per cent more arrests in relation to transnational drug trafficking than in 2014.

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 a concern. In 2015, 163 Hong Kong-Mainland smuggling attempts were detected, with 178 people arrested and $283 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 on the Mainland, and counterfeit goods were often smuggled into Hong Kong.

The Customs and Excise Department collaborates with other law enforcement agencies to combat smuggling activities through intelligence exchange and parallel operations. It 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.

2

Not including 513kg of Khat, which contains substances subject to control under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

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