Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department announced at a press conference on June 25th, that Guangdong police have seized 27 tons of narcotics since 2017.

“Guangdong police closed more than 33,000 drug-related cases in the last 3 years, with over 43,000 drug dealers being arrested in the process.” said Lin Weixiong, Deputy Director-general of Guangdong Provincial Public Security Department.

27 tons of narcotics seized by Guangdong police since 2017 (Photo: Steven Yuen)

Lin indicated that in 2018, the price of drugs such as methamphetamine and ketamine in underground drug markets was 30 times that recorded in 2013.

“The effort we made toward fighting drug-related crimes has resulted in a decrease in drug production and drug-related cases over the last 3 years.” Lin explained. “Guangdong’s share of China’s total illegal drug manufacture dropped from 59.6% in 2014 to a mere 3.8% in 2018.”

According to Lin, Guangdong Government have been exerting their strength to push drug rehabilitation forward. As of 2018, Guangdong had spent more than 300 million RMB on improving drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation services, including setting up no fewer than 1603 rehabilitation centers across the province.

Furthermore, Lin stated that Guangdong police have cracked more than 3400 drug-related cases, with over 4300 suspects being seized from January to May this year.

27 tons of narcotics seized by Guangdong police since 2017(Photo: Steven Yuen)

At the press conference, a spokesman of Guangdong police disclosed that a join operation by Guangdong and Guangxi police forces smashed a cross-border drug smuggling channel in April this year.

32 drug traffickers were arrested, while more than 5 kilograms of heroin and 16 kilograms of other drugs were seized during the operation.

27 tons of narcotics seized by Guangdong police since 2017(Photo: Steven Yuen)

Lin stressed that more campaigns are to be launched soon, as fighting against drug related crimes is a long-term task.

According to Chinese Criminal Law, people who smuggle, sell or produce more than 50kg drugs, such as heroin and crystal meth, will be sentenced at least 15 years in prison, with possibility of life imprisonment or even the death penalty being imposed.

Author: Steven Yuen, Li Jiaxing

Editor: Simon Haywood

Video: Steven Yuen