What are the Anti-drug Laws?
The Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Cap. 134) controls over the dealing, possession, import, supply and manufacture of all narcotic drugs and nearly all psychotropic substances listed in the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs and the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. The maximum penalty for major drug offences such as trafficking and manufacturing of dangerous drugs is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Under Section (8) of the same Ordinance, any person has in his possession; or smoke, inhale, ingest or inject a dangerous drug shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction upon indictment to a fine of $1 million and, subject to section 54A, to imprisonment for 7 years; or on summary conviction to a fine of $100,000 and, subject to section 54A, to imprisonment for 3 years.
The Control of Chemicals Ordinance (Cap. 145) controls all chemicals listed in the 1988 UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. The maximum penalty is 15 years' imprisonment and a fine of $1 million.
The Drug Trafficking (Recovery of Proceeds) Ordinance (Cap. 405) provides a legal basis for countering money laundering by allowing the authority to trace, confiscate and recover the proceeds of drug trafficking and to create offences relating to those proceeds or property.
Law Enforcement Efforts
Our law enforcement agencies have made a lot of efforts in stopping drug trafficking. Officers from the Police and the Customs are dedicated full time to law enforcement. The objectives of the efforts are to identify and prosecute drug traffickers and to make drug abuse as costly and difficult as possible.
Vigorous efforts by the Police and the Customs have achieved considerable success. In 2007, seizures of illegal drugs included 37.36 kg of heroin, 96.41 kg of ketamine, 435.50 kg of herbal cannabis, 197.12 kg of cocaine, 40.79 kg of methylamphetamine ("ice") and a total of 65,537 ecstasy-type tablets.
During 2007, a total of 8,509 persons were arrested for drug offences, of whom 3,655 were arrested for major drug offences such as drug manufacturing or trafficking or possession of large amounts and 4,324 were arrested for minor drug offences (e.g. possession of small amounts of drugs for own consumption).
Report it!
If you suspect that any person is
a drug pusher or trafficker or that any premises are being used
for manufacturing illegal drugs, call
For suspected illegal sales by pharmacists,
call
All reports are treated in the strictest
confidence.
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