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Following is the speech (English only) by Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Sally Wong, at the opening ceremony of the Regional Seminar on Customs Cooperation Against Drug Trafficking this morning (January 25):
Commissioner Tong, Mr Liu, Mr Li, ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great pleasure for me to be invited here today to officiate at the Regional Seminar on Customs Cooperation Against Drug Trafficking. I wish to extend my warm welcome to all of you to Hong Kong.
Drug trafficking knows no boundaries. Its transnational nature means that a jurisdiction cannot tackle the problem alone. Close cooperation and concerted efforts among countries and territories are imperative if we are to achieve any success. Drug traffickers are taking advantage of increasingly sophisticated means of communication and transport to move drugs from one corner of the world to another. They are constantly changing means of concealment and routes to evade detection. We must always be alert to changing trends and typologies, and devise new measures to arrest the illicit flow. This seminar serves exactly this purpose, that is, to map out strategies and mechanisms to enhance cooperation to tackle the global drug menace. I am sure all of you will benefit from the fruitful discussions during these two days.
In Hong Kong, we address the drug problem by adopting a five-pronged approach, namely legislation and law enforcement, treatment and rehabilitation, preventive education and publicity, research, and last but not least, external cooperation.
Hong Kong has always adopted a zero tolerance approach towards drug-related crimes. On legislation and law enforcement, possessing or trafficking dangerous or controlled drugs is a serious criminal offence. Offenders are liable to severe penalty in Hong Kong. The maximum penalty for drug trafficking is life imprisonment and $5 million (approximately US$641,000). The law enforcement agencies have taken strong and sustained enforcement action to suppress drug trafficking and other drug related crimes.
External cooperation is an integral part of our battle against transnational drug syndicates. Hong Kong participates actively in regional and international fora to share our experience in combating drug abuse and trafficking trends and to keep in step with the latest world standards and requirements. Hong Kong has also maintained close cooperation with external agencies on various fronts including collection and analysis of intelligence, law enforcement operations and mutual legal assistance.
Here I would like to commend members of the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department for their professionalism and hard work. Last year, the Department conducted several major operations that led to the arrest of key figures of major trafficking syndicates and seizure of large quantities of drugs. These successful operations were carried out with the cooperation of our counterparts in the Mainland and overseas, which serves to underline the critical importance of external cooperation.
And our sustained anti-drug efforts have been rewarded. The number of reported drug abusers in Hong Kong has been on the downward trend since 2001. In 2006, the figures are the lowest in the past ten years. However, as drug trends and patterns are constantly changing, we can hardly be complacent. We are facing the global problem of increasing psychotropic substance abuse. We are working hard to combat this problem. With the firm commitment and policy support of the Government, the dedication and professionalism of our law enforcement agencies and close collaboration with our Mainland and overseas partners, our efforts will certainly bear fruit.
In Hong Kong I am advocating the concept of "strategic partnership" with all sectors of the community in the war against drugs, as it is imperative for all stakeholders to make a concerted effort in order to achieve the desired results. Here I would appeal to you to be Hong Kong's strategic partners in the battle against cross border drug trafficking. In this fast globalising world, no country or territory can fight and win the war against drugs on its own. But by working closely together we can certainly make a big difference.
Finally, I would like to wish this seminar every success. For our guests from the Mainland and overseas, I wish you a very pleasant stay in Hong Kong. Thank you.
Ends/Thursday, January 25, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:33
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