BEIJING: South China’s Guangdong Province has stepped up anti-drug measures following the seizure of a ship carrying two tons of crystal meth earlier this year.
Acting on a tipoff, police found 80 bags of drugs hidden on a ship docked at Jiazi Township in February.
Subsequently, the local government established a port management office in charge of smuggling and drug control. As of last month, inspectors had examined more than 600 vessels moored in the city, and banned 50 unlicensed vessels.
The Lufeng city government is also promoting a real-name logistic service system and inspection stations and teams will undertake regular, impromptu checks.
Ship owners, captains and crew in Jianzi have signed a letter of commitment, agreeing that their vessels will be seized if drugs are found onboard.
In May, the city launched its “Thunder” campaign, offering up to 30,000 yuan (US$4,552) for information leading to the arrest of drug dealers. More than 50 had been detained or had surrendered to police as of last Wednesday.
Lufeng, a port favored by drug smugglers because of its proximity to Hong Kong, Macau and Southeast Asia, launched a drug awareness exhibition last week, ahead of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26.
In the crystal meth case, 28 suspects have been detained and are facing charges of drug manufacturing, trafficking and distribution.
Initial investigations found the drugs were produced at a farm in a neighboring county, and were destined for Southeast Asia.
The drugs sold at a wholesale price of 20,000 yuan per kilo and the street price could be 30 to 40 times that amount, said Zhan Zhenbiao, head of the city’s narcotics police.
The case revealed to authorities that trafficking by sea was more serious than by land.
“Ships can carry much larger consignments of drugs,” said city official Lin Chunjia.
Deng Jianwei, who heads the provinces drug enforcement agency, said cross-border drug control involves multiple countries and regions and international cooperation.
“We will strengthen cooperation with our counterparts in Hong Kong and Taiwan as well as Australia by sharing information and undertaking joint campaigns,” he said.
