2,534 arrested in Mekong anti-drug campaign

Xinhua | July 02, 2013 11:17 
By Agencies

Police from China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand have arrested 2,534 suspects and seized about 9.78 tonnes of drugs during a two-month anti-drug campaign, the Ministry of Public Security said Tuesday.

Police confiscated 38 firearms, 1,125 bullets, about $3.6 million in cash and 260 tonnes of chemicals used to produce drugs during the campaign, Liu Yuejin, director general of the ministry's Narcotics Control Bureau, said at a press conference.

Police also cracked 1,784 drug-related cases during the campaign, which lasted from April 20 to June 20, Liu said.

Representatives from Laos, Myanmar and Thailand expressed willingness to maintain a cooperative law enforcement mechanism that was established in March.

China still has many challenges to face in terms of fighting drug-related crime, Liu said.

Liu said the suspects used elderly, pregnant and disabled people to traffic drugs, making it difficult for law enforcement to stop them.

Liu said the drugs that Chinese drug users consume are largely produced in foreign countries, with the Golden Triangle accounting for 60 to 70 percent of the drugs consumed.

FULL STORY: http://www.globaltimes.cn/NEWS/tabid/99/ID/793174/793174.aspx