Lin Weixiong, deputy director general of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Public Security, shows drugs seized in the province during the campaign codenamed Jufeng 2019. [Photo by Zheng Caixiong/chinadaily.com.cn]

Police across Guangdong province have busted more than 300 criminal gangs and detained over 5,400 suspected gang members in the first five months of a new campaign.

Lin Weixiong, deputy director general of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Public Security, said the campaign – codenamed Jufeng 2019, or "hurricane" in English – has dealt a heavy blow to organized crime, drug production and trafficking, smuggling, and gang violence in the southern province.

"Jufeng 2019 has played an important role in ensuring a sound social environment for the country to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China in October and 20th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland in December," Lin told a news conference in the Guangdong provincial capital on Friday.

A total of 34 special operations have been launched from January to May to fight crime as part of Jufeng 2019, he said.

Police in Guangzhou in a series of operations in March detained 112 suspects after busting 14 dens used in the production of firearms.

Weapons and drugs seized by Guangdong police during Jufeng 2019 are displayed at a news conference to demonstrate the achievements in the fight against crime from January to May. [Photo by Zheng Caixiong/chinadaily.com.cn]

Police seized a total of 54 firearms, more than 6,000 different kinds of bullets, 12 kilograms of gunpowder, 17 detonators, along with many gun parts and production tools.

Despite these achievements, Lin said Guangdong police will continue to increase their efforts in the fight against crime, prioritizing gang-related and violent crime.

He reiterated that Guangdong police have zero tolerance for any crime that threatens the lives and property of local residents, investors, visitors and tourists in the prosperous and most populous province nationwide.

Guangdong, one of China's economic powerhouses, now has a population of more than 100 million.

Lin said police in Guangdong will this year launch at least 100 special operations to help fight against different kinds of crime in the province, with 34 having been launched in the first five months.

Guangdong police launched a total of 78 operations to fight crime in the previous year, he said.