China Arrests Over 60,000 In Operation Against Drug Use, Seizes 11 Tonnes Of Narcotics

At least 60,500 suspects, involved in drug-related crimes, were arrested by the Chinese police, which also seized 11.14 tonnes of narcotics from raids, Xinhua reported, citing the country's ministry of public security. The arrests are part of the ongoing countrywide campaign dubbed, "Ban drugs in hundreds of cities."

Police officials also dealt with 52,800 drug crime cases from late September to the end of December in 2014. The campaign will continue till April this year. The latest statement follows the ministry’s previous comments that nearly 180,000 drug users had been punished, with 55,679 sent to compulsory rehabilitation, by mid-December, Xinhua reported. As part of the next move, the ministry and national drug control authority will “speak with local drug control officials" in order to implement further measures to contain drug-related crimes.

China has stepped up its fight against the increasing use of drugs, including methamphetamine, ketamine and ecstasy, Reuters reported. Earlier this month, a Beijing court had sentenced Jaycee Chan, son of kung fu movie star Jackie Chan, on drug charges. The court reportedly ordered him to six months in jail and 2,000 yuan ($322) fine.

In August, the country’s police raided 2 Kolegas, a venue popular with expatriates, and arrested at least 10 people, including four foreigners. Earlier that month, Beijing also executed two South Korean drug dealers, despite receiving several leniency pleas from Seoul. The two men had reportedly smuggled drugs into China from North Korea and planned to sell them further in South Korea.