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Police seized about $1.7 million worth of suspected dangerous drugs and arrested 206 persons during two territory-wide operations concluded yesterday (April 14).
In order to combat drug-related crime, especially among young people, during the Easter holidays, two territory-wide anti-drug operations codenamed ¡§Vanquisher VI¡¨ and ¡§Tailbacker III¡¨ were conducted from March 29 to April 14.
Officers from Police headquarters and all regions took enforcement actions and checked identified black spots including licensed entertainment premises. Joint operations with the Department of Health were also mounted to step up checks at dispensaries in order to curb cough medicine abuse.
During the operations, a total of 186 men and 20 women aged from 13 to 74 were arrested. Among them, 39 boys and 11 girls were aged 20 or below. They were arrested for various offences such as trafficking in dangerous drugs, possession of dangerous drugs, possession of equipment for smoking/injecting dangerous drugs, possession of Part I Poison, selling a Part I Poison without the supervision of a registered pharmacist, and failing to store first schedule poison in a receptacle locked with an adequate lock. Some arrestees have been charged for relevant offences while the rest were released on bail pending further enquiries.
Suspected dangerous drugs, including ketamine, heroin, ice and bottles of cough syrup worth about HK$1.7 million, were seized.
A Police spokesman reiterated that combating trafficking and abuse of dangerous drugs remains one of the Commissioner¡¦s Operational Priorities in 2010. Police will make continuous efforts to interdict drug supplies and abuse activities, particularly those involving youngsters.
The public are also reminded that possession and consumption of dangerous drugs are serious offences in Hong Kong and any person found guilty of the said offence(s) will be subject to a maximum penalty of a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for seven years. In addition, any person convicted of drug-related offence(s) involving minors will face an application for enhanced sentencing under Section 56A of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.
Police Report no.2
Ends/Thursday, April 15, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:08
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