The Secretary for Justice, Mr Wong Yan Lung, SC, and the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Richard Yuen, today (January 25) officiated at a reception to celebrate the 2008 International Customs Day (ICD).

The theme for this year's ICD is "Combating Illicit Trafficking in Drugs and Psychotropic Substances", which underlines the strong emphasis on international co-operation in combating drug trafficking.

Addressing the reception, Mr Wong highlighted the enormous cost of illicit drugs to society.

"According to the 2007 World Drugs Report, some 5% of the world's population between the ages of 15 and 64 use illicit drugs each year. This translates into 200 million people in their prime years. The annual value of the illegal drug trade is estimated at US$322 billion," Mr Wong said.

"In Hong Kong, we have always adopted a zero tolerance approach towards drug-related crimes. Our anti-drug strategy has successfully reduced the total number of drug abusers in the past 10 years. However, the number of young abusers of psychotropic substances has been increasing in the past three years and is causing the government and our society at large serious concern. We simply cannot allow our new generation to be eroded by drug abuse," he continued.

To tackle the problem, a high-level inter-departmental task force chaired by Mr Wong has been set up, ensuring a solid legal framework for the way forward.

Elaborating on the holistic approach towards addressing the youth drug problem, Mr Wong said it was not merely a matter of law and law enforcement.

"We are getting all relevant policy makers on board, covering other important areas, including preventive education and publicity, treatment and rehabilitation, research, and external co-operation."

On the law enforcement front, Mr Wong commended Hong Kong Customs for making significant headway given the huge volume of passengers and cargo flowing through the territory every day.

In the face of the challenge to effective customs enforcement, Mr Yuen talked about the anti-drug strategy. "Tackling the problem requires co-operation and concerted action among different departments in government. Being the department responsible for protecting Hong Kong against smuggling of contraband and prohibited articles, Hong Kong Customs is at the forefront of the campaign against drug trafficking," Mr Yuen said.

Hong Kong Customs has continued to strive to enhance its effectiveness in drug prevention by the application of intelligence-based risk management techniques, adoption of advanced detection equipment and working closely with other regional and international drug enforcement agencies, Mr Yuen said.

"We are aware of the growing trend of young people taking advantage of the busy cross boundary traffic to engage in drug abuse and drug smuggling activities," he said.

As stepped-up enforcement measures, Customs has increased the frequency of inspections targeting cross boundary private cars, coaches and buses, and deployed drug detector dogs particularly at the most popular hours such as late night at weekends and during long holidays.

At the reception, 10 Hong Kong Customs officers were awarded by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) for their significant contributions towards combating illicit drug trafficking. They were presented with WCO Certificates of Merit by Mr Wong. About 300 guests, including Executive and Legislative Council members, government officials, Consuls General, foreign Customs attaches, and Customs representatives from the Mainland and Macau, attended the celebration.

In commemoration of the first council session of the Customs Co-operation Council which was held on January 26, 1953, WCO in 1984 officially set January 26 as International Customs Day with the aim of fostering closer working relationships among Customs authorities and promoting international trade.

Today's event is the 21st celebration of International Customs Day by Hong Kong Customs since it became a member of WCO in 1987.

Secretary for Justice, Mr Wong Yan Lung, SC (ninth right); Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Richard Yuen (eighth left), toast at the International Customs Day reception today (January 25). Together with them are Director-General of Macao Customs Service, Mr Choi Lai-hang (sixth right); Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Professor K C Chan (seventh right); Convenor of the Non-official Members of the Executive Council, Mr Leung Chun-ying (eighth right); Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee (seventh left); Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Sally Wong (sixth left); Deputy Director-General of Shenzhen Customs, PRC, Mr Xue Jin-lou (fifth left), and the directorate of Hong Kong Customs.

Secretary for Justice, Mr Wong Yan Lung, SC (sixth right), and Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Richard Yuen (seventh right) with the Hong Kong Customs officers who are awarded the World Customs Organization Certificates of Merit for their significant contributions towards combating illicit drug trafficking.

Ends/Friday, January 25, 2008