The Narcotics Bureau (NB) hosted the "3rd Symposium on Drugs Enforcement in the Cross-strait cum Hong Kong and Macao" at the Police Headquarters on September 14. The event brought together more than 55 senior officers from NB of the Hong Kong Police Force, the Narcotics Control Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), Narcotics Division of the Macao Judiciary Police as well as Prosecutors Office of Taiwan to exchange their views on the regional drug trend and discuss the best practices in combating illicit drug activities.

Officiating at the symposium, Acting Director of Crime and Security Chung Siu-yeung told the attendees that the Hong Kong Police Force has been maintaining close partnership with the respective enforcement agencies and repeatedly secured operational success in the prosecution of the mastermind of drug syndicates with conspiracy charges.

The attendees of the four jurisdictions conducted in-depth discussion on the strategy to eliminate the head of drug syndicates as well as the way forward in tackling illicit drug activities. Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions of the Department of Justice Ms Chan Shook-man was invited to give an overview of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance and the local criminal judicial system.

The leader of the Mainland delegation cum Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau of the MPS, Mr Liang Yun, stressed that collaboration among drug enforcement agencies was of utmost importance in fighting against such illegal activities. The attendees commented that the symposium had enhanced their understanding of their counterparts' anti-drug strategies and paved the way for better alignment of efforts to combat illicit drug activities in the region. Meanwhile, they also visited Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre of the Correctional Services Department and a non-governmental rehabilitation centre named The Christian New Being Fellowship.

On the other hand, Mr Liang led three Mainland narcotics officials to pay a courtesy call on Commissioner Lo Wai-chung on September 12 to exchange views on the regional drug trend and the drug enforcement strategy.