ENG-2018 — Page 314

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Public Order

Dangerous Drugs

The police adopt a multi-agency approach, enlisting community support to combat drug abuse and trafficking. In 2018, the number of persons arrested for drug offences totalled 3,784, of whom 48 per cent involved the seizure of methamphetamine, also known as Ice, and cocaine.

The Narcotics Bureau maintains a strategic partnership with Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies. To tackle international drug trafficking, 12 joint operations were conducted in 2018, involving the seizure of 4,088kg of illicit drugs. The bureau also works to amend legislation and devise intervention strategies against challenges posed by newly emerged dangerous drugs.

Financial Investigation

The Financial Investigations Division and the Joint Financial Intelligence Unit combat money laundering and terrorist financing activities, while the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Assessment Unit conducts corresponding risk assessment exercises. During the year, 79 persons were convicted of money laundering offences, with criminal assets of about $7.9 billion restrained and $596.1 million confiscated.

Forensic Support

The Identification Bureau collects and compares fingerprints, examines firearms, takes photographs and gathers DNA evidence from crime scenes to support crime investigations and prosecutions. In 2018, fingerprint evidence linked 1,447 persons to 1,293 criminal cases.

Liaison

The Liaison Bureau is the designated contact point with law enforcement agencies of the Mainland, Macao, Taiwan and overseas countries, and with foreign liaison officers stationed in Hong Kong, on all police-related matters. As a sub-bureau of the Interpol National Central Bureau China, it deals with all Interpol-related matters in Hong Kong.

Apart from assisting in investigations, the bureau coordinates requests about mutual legal assistance, the surrender of fugitive offenders and the handling of notifications under a reciprocal notification mechanism with the Mainland.

Counterterrorism

As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen counterterrorism capabilities, the police conduct training and exercises regularly with other organisations to maintain the highest level of readiness. The police work closely with Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies to protect Hong Kong from the threat of terrorism. In view of terrorism-related challenges posed by the increasingly complex international landscape, the police promote 'Run-Hide-Report' as the public's rule of thumb to ensure safety, and heighten awareness of counterterrorism.

Traffic

During the year, 15,935 traffic accidents involved casualties, with 1,682 and 107 cases recording serious injuries and fatalities respectively. The data represented 1 per cent more accidents

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