Hong Kong has been playing an active role in the international arena to boost bilateral co-operation in combating transnational crimes, including drug trafficking, Secretary for Security Regina Ip said.

Apart from signing agreements with other countries, Hong Kong also shares with them confiscated drug trafficking proceeds to strengthen co-operation.

Responding to a query from Lau Kong-wah in the Legislative Council today, Mrs Ip said Hong Kong, like other international trading and transport hubs, cannot be immune to drug trafficking.

"In addition to new and sophisticated methods of drug trafficking, the increase in the traffic and passenger flow between the Mainland and Hong Kong in recent years has also posed new challenges in combating drug trafficking," she said.

To effectively disrupt the trade in illicit drugs between the Mainland and Hong Kong, close ties have been maintained and joint operations are mounted from time to time, she added.

The Customs & Excise Department has deployed high-tech equipment, such as container X-ray systems, and strengthened staff deployment at the land boundary control points to enhance our capability and efficiency in drug detection.

On tripartite co-operation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, Mrs Ip said both the Mainland and Macau will enhance anti-money laundering legislation and measures as a means to tackle cross-boundary drug trafficking.