Legislation and Law Enforcement

In March 1997, the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance was amended to provide
for heavier sentences for adults who exploit young persons in the illegal
drug trade. The amendment sends a strong and clear message, to drug
traffickers and the public at large, that such exploitation of young persons
is a serious crime.

The 1988 United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic
Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (1988 UN Convention) was
extended to Hong Kong in May 1997. Parties to the 1988 UN Convention
have been designated under the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds)
Ordinance in June 1997 so that confiscation orders relating to the
proceeds of drug trafficking made by those jurisdictions can be enforced
in Hong Kong. To comply with the requirements of the 1988 UN
Convention, the Control of Chemicals Ordinance was also amended in
June 1997 by extending licensing control to the shipment of salts of 17
chemicals specified in its Schedules 1 and 2. In July 1997, the Dangerous
Drugs (Amendment) (No. 2) Ordinance 1994 was brought into operation
to implement provisions of the 1988 UN Convention by dealing with
narcotic offences at sea.

During the year, a review of the Drug Addicts Treatment and
Rehabilitation Ordinance was undertaken, with a view to modernising its
provisions taking into account the drug treatment and rehabilitation
services provided by non-governmental organisations.

In 1997, vigorous law enforcement efforts produced considerable
success in terms of seizures and arrests, both at home and overseas. The
Hong Kong Police Force and the Customs and Excise Department seized
some 170 kilograms of heroin, 1 133 kilograms of cannabis, 72 kilograms
of methylamphetamine, 32 kilograms of cocaine, and substantial quantities
of various narcotics, analgesics and tranquillisers. In all, 12 483 persons
were arrested for various drug offences. Joint operations with overseas
law enforcement agencies neutralised several international drug trafficking
syndicates. Substantial quantities of dangerous drugs were seized and
ringleaders arrested both locally and abroad.

Since the enactment of the Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds)
Ordinance, assets valued at $323 million have been ordered confiscated
and $216 million paid to the government by the end of 1997 and further
assets amounting to $169 million were under restraint.

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