Hong Kong cocaine and ketamine seizures more than double in first four months of year
Security chief vows more effort as figures show 236kg of drug found in year's first four months
The city's security chief yesterday pledged to step up efforts to combat drug trafficking after new figures showed seizures of ketamine and cocaine in the first four months of the year were up 100 per cent or more on the same period last year.
Data released by the government's Fight Crime Committee yesterday showed the amount of cocaine seized between January and last month was 120kg, up 160.9 per cent from the 46kg found in the period last year.
Seizures of party drug ketamine also recorded a 100 per cent rise, to 236kg from 118kg last year.
Methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice, was up 21.6 per cent to 152kg, and the amount of cannabis netted saw a two per cent rise at 52kg. Ecstasy-type drugs seized increased by two tablets, to 107.
Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok said yesterday over half of the seizures in the first four months were made at border checkpoints. He said the security bureau would continue to work with international law enforcement agencies and adopt an intelligence-led approach to combating drug trafficking.
Lai also said law enforcement departments would enhance the use of Section 56A of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance when prosecuting drug traffickers who hire young people to handle drugs.
