On behalf of the FBI Director, the Legal Attache of the American Consulate General in Hong Kong, Mr Wong Kingman, presented a plaque to Head of NB, Mr Ip Lau-chuen, for cracking down a transnational drug syndicate in a joint NB/FBI investigation.

Mr Wong also presented appreciation letters to 11 officers who had taken part in the investigation - Superintendent Tsang Cheung-tat, Chief Inspectors Ma Shun-kwong and Ko Shun-chi, Senior Inspector Mak Siu-kwok, Woman Detective Sergeant Tam Wai-man, Detective Police Constables Cheung Ying-leung, Law Ka-lai and Mak Kwok-yin, Woman Detective Police Constables Cheung Chi-ki, Leung Lai-wan and Pong Pui-ha.

In the joint NB/FBI investigation, NB officers arrested three men for distribution and importation of heroin and hashish into the States in September 2002. The arrested persons were subsequently extradited to New York for trial in March 2003.

Former Deputy FBI Director, Mr Bruce Gebhardt, who supervised the overall investigation at the time, and who happened to visit Hong Kong, also attended the presentation ceremony to show his appreciation to NB.

Mr Ip Lau-chuen (left) receives a commendation plaque from Mr Wong Kingman