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The Commissioner for Narcotics, Mrs Erika Hui, said today (July 6) she was pleased to learn that the Customs and Excise Department had successfully smashed a cocaine trafficking syndicate on July 4.
Mrs Hui reiterated the Government's determination in tackling the drug problem and said that the Government would continue to strive to curb the inflow of drugs. She said, "Legislation and law enforcement plays an important part in the five-pronged anti-drug strategies. The Government has all along adopted a zero-tolerance attitude towards illicit drugs and drug traffickers. The successful seizure of cocaine by Customs in this operation and the interception of other types of drugs by the law enforcement agencies in the past are good examples to demonstrate the determination and ability of the law enforcement agencies in combating transnational drug trafficking. It also delivers a message to drug traffickers that they bear a very high risk for drug trafficking in Hong Kong.
"The law enforcement agencies will stay alert and work closely together with the Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies, and adopt an intelligence-led strategy including the exchange of intelligence to conduct joint operations when appropriate, with a view to combating transnational and international drug trafficking activities together. In addition, liaison with the drug detection agencies of other countries will be enhanced to stop the flow of drugs more effectively," she said.
The Chairman of the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN), Professor Daniel Shek said, "We are glad that the Customs has successfully detected this cocaine trafficking case. In view of the continued improvement in the local drug situation, we can see that the five-pronged anti-drug strategies adopted by the Government, namely preventive education and publicity, treatment and rehabilitation, legislation and law enforcement, external co-operation and research, have yielded some positive results.蒅
Mrs Hui said that there was improvement in the local drug situation in the past few years. The Administration had noted an increase in the number of cocaine abusers and the number of crime cases involving cocaine and that of arrested persons. Apart from stepping up law enforcement actions to cut the source of drugs, the Administration has all along closely monitored the drug abuse and drug trafficking trends and will enhance publicity efforts and adopt relevant measures.
She said, "The Narcotics Division has enhanced the anti-drug publicity against the harmful effects of cocaine abuse starting from 2010. Relevant Announcements in the Public Interest and posters were launched last summer. Also, the Police has co-operated with various organisations and adopted a community-based approach to raise the awareness of students and young people of the need to stay away from drugs."
She stressed that despite the sustained improvement in the drug situation, the Government would not be complacent. The Government would continue to work together with other sectors of the community and was committed to combating drug problems on a sustained basis.
With the summer holidays approaching, Professor Daniel Shek reminded young people to ensure a drug-free holiday by being vigilant and staying away from drugs. The ACAN and the Government will enhance its anti-drug publicity efforts during the summer holidays. Law enforcement agencies will continue to step up enforcement to combat drug-related crimes and continue to tackle the drug problem at source.
Ends/Friday, July 6, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:19
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