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Following is a question by the Hon Mrs Regina Ip and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, in the Legislative Council today (March 18):
Question:
It has been reported that in two enforcement actions carried out at the bar area at Lan Kwai Fong in Central in January this year, the Police arrested six men of African descent for allegedly touting drugs to young people and visitors. Some of these people were granted temporary stay in Hong Kong by virtue of Recognisance Forms (commonly known as "going-out passes") issued by the Immigration Department (ImmD). In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether the Police will step up law enforcement efforts to combat the drug trafficking activities conducted at the bar area at Lan Kwai Fong, including deploying plain-clothed police officers to pose as bar customers; if they will, of the details;
(2) of the number and the trend of young people arrested for drug abuse and drug trafficking at places of entertainment in the past three years;
(3) as it is learnt that large numbers of local students and students returning from overseas to Hong Kong go to the bar area at Lan Kwai Fong for entertainment during long holidays, of the targeted measures which the Police have put in place to combat drug abuse and drug trafficking by such students at these places; and
(4) whether the Police will enhance cooperation with ImmD to combat trafficking activities by foreign nationals who have been granted temporary stay in Hong Kong by virtue of going-out passes; if they will, of the details?
Reply:
President,
In response to the Member's question, our reply is as follows:
(1) The Police attach great importance to combating drug trafficking activities and would take appropriate anti-drug measures according to the circumstances of each district. In respect of the Lan Kwai Fong area in Central, the Police have been regularly conducting seminars with the pub employees in the district to step up anti-drug publicity. On the law enforcement front, the Police continue to maintain close liaison with members of the local community, strengthen intelligence collection and patrol at high-risk entertainment venues in the Lan Kwai Fong area, as well as deploy police officers for covert operations to combat drug-related and other illegal activities.
(2) Between 2012 and 2014, the figures for young people aged under 21 who abused drugs in entertainment venues and relevant places (note) have recorded a declining trend. According to the Central Registry of Drug Abuse of the Narcotics Division, from 2012 to the first three quarters of 2014 (whole year figures for 2014 are pending), the numbers of reported young people aged under 21 who abused drugs in entertainment venues and relevant places were respectively 484, 320 and 140. According to the Police, there were seven young people arrested for serious drug offences in entertainment venues and relevant places in 2012, nine in 2013 and 11 in 2014.
(3) In response to the leisure plans of the public during festivals and long holidays, the Police would adopt appropriate anti-drug measures, including those addressing youth drug trafficking. The Police would also step up anti-drug publicity and law enforcement action in the vicinity of Lan Kwai Fong (especially at high-risk entertainment venues). Moreover, School Liaison Officers from the Police would also maintain close liaison with schools with a view to preventing teenagers from taking part in illegal activities, including drug-related ones.
(4) Drug trafficking is a serious offence in Hong Kong regardless of one's nationality. On top of the above anti-drug measures, the Police would also cooperate with other law enforcement agencies to combat drug-related problems. In addition, the Immigration Department (ImmD) would reject a visa application for entry into Hong Kong if there is a suspicion on the purpose of the visit. ImmD would also exercise effective immigration control, rejecting entry by suspicious visitors, followed by immediate repatriation. Investigation and prosecution actions against persons who overstay and contravene the conditions of stay are also being actively carried out by ImmD.
Note: According to the information of the Central Registry of Drug Abuse of the Narcotics Division and Hong Kong Police, entertainment venues and relevant places include discos, karaoke, internet bars, electronic games centres, cinemas and pubs etc.
Ends/Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Issued at HKT 12:38
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