Anti-Drug Action: China cracks down on maritime drug trafficking

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02:11

Drug trafficking by sea remains a problem at China's ports and harbors. Authorities have now released details of four major cases and announced further actions aimed at cracking down on the problem. CGTN's Zhao Yunfei has the story.

Criminals burning drugs to wipe out evidence. Authorities put out the fire aboard the cargo ship. A dangerous, but common scenario for maritime law enforcement officials.

China has just released details on four major cases like these. Some have prompted joint actions by Chinese mainland police and Hong Kong authorities.

In January, members of a syndicate were found loading drugs in waters off the coast of Myanmar for a trafficking en route to Southeast Asia. China Coast Guard vessels successfully intercepted the target vessel in the South China Sea.

In a separate case in May, maritime police ordered the interception of an oil tanker suspected of drug trafficking in southern Chinese waters. Eight suspects were arrested, some from Taiwan.

LIANG YUN, VICE DIRECTOR CHINA NATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL COMMISSION "From these cases we can also see that drug crimes are still rampant. Chinese law enforcement task forces have the ability and confidence to cope with this challenge."

Law enforcement on the water is risky. Some cases involve cross-border trafficking, making the situation more complex.

Reporter ask: What specific measures have the Narcotics commission and maritime police taken to crack down drug trafficking?

LIANG YUN, VICE DIRECTOR CHINA NATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL COMMISSION "Another important task in maritime investigation is to work with relevant countries. In this regard, corresponding channels of communication with neighboring countries are also established."

Governments have taken steps to upgrade communication and connectivity mechanisms regarding maritime drug enforcement. Cases in point - China, Myanmar, Laos and Afghanistan, which now all enjoy enhanced correspondence.

ZHAO YUNFEI BEIJING "China released its latest drug situation report on Monday, saying bulk maritime illicit drug trafficking is alive and rampant. 35 major cases were cracked down in 2017, but challenges lie ahead. Zhao Yunfei, CGTN, Beijing."