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Tripartite drug detention
The Force seized about $4.6 million in psychotropic drugs and arrested 157 people in an operation which concluded April 1, held in conjunction with similar crackdowns in Macau and Guangdong.
Narcotics Bureau Chief Superintendent Henrique Koo Sii-hong said the operation, codenamed "Spring-thunder", was mounted after last month's tripartite meeting where police in the three jurisdictions agreed to mount the joint simultaneous operation to curb psychotropic drug abuse.
During the operation, which started March 19, a host of officers from NB and each Region were deployed and 14 locations were raided while licence checks were performed at 80 entertainment premises. The main target were traffickers selling the drugs to youngsters in these establishments.
"A total of 8,124 tablets of MDMA, 477 grams of ketamine, 3.4 kilograms of ice, 4.6 kilograms of cannabis and 116 grams of cocaine were seized, and could fetch some $4.6 million if sold on the retail market," Mr Koo said. Some 136 men and 21 women, aged 14 to 48, were apprehended during the operation. Eighty were arrested for trafficking in dangerous drugs, and 77 for possession of DD.
"Similar operations were conducted simultaneously in Macau and Guangdong Province. With a view to further combating the problem, the tripartite police will maintain regular contact and exchange of intelligence," Mr Koo said, adding that top priority would be accorded to blocking the sources of supply to strangle the flow of such drugs into the market.
He said a multi-agency approach would be adopted to address the rising trend in psychotropic dangerous drug abuse.
"NB will step up its co-ordination role with frontline units to ensure the enforcement momentum is maintained in tackling the problem. In order to stop the trafficking of psychotropic dangerous drugs into Hong Kong, Police and the Customs and Excise Department will step up stop-and-search action in areas like the airport, boundary control points, train stations and cross boundary vehicle stops."
Drug trends would be closely monitored for further proactive enforcement action, he added.
After extensive investigations, NB officers ambushed a village house in Fu Cho Tsuen and found about 70 ecstasy tablets, moulds and nine kilograms of suspected raw materials that could produce about 36,000 tablets worth $4.32 million.
Meanwhile, Director of Operations Ng Wai-kit said on an April 7 radio show that Police were very concerned over rising trends in young people abusing psychotropic drugs.
He said Police and Customs officers would spare no effort in halting the increase which he attributed to the burgeoning local rave party scene.