China arrests 134,000 for drug-related crimes

Beijing, June 26 (IANS) A total of 134,000 persons with suspected links to nearly 113,000 drug-related crimes over the past year have been arrested in China, the National Narcotics Control Commission (NNCC) said on Sunday.

At least 1,238 suspects were arrested and around 2.8 tonnes of drugs were seized by the railway police alone, Xinhua news agency reported.

State Councillor Guo Shengkun, also head of the NNCC, inspected a compulsory detoxification centre under the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau on Friday prior to the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26.

Guo called for a prolonged “People’s War” to stop the spread of drugs, saying all social forces should be mobilised for drug control.

The state councillor also vowed “zero tolerance” and severe punishment for drug-related crimes in order to deter offenders.