Amid a rise in drug-related criminal activities following the pandemic, Chinese authorities solved more than 42,000 narcotic crime cases and seized 25.9 tons of drugs in 2023, the Ministry of Public Security announced on Wednesday.

The figures are higher than in 2022, when drug-related crime hit its lowest point in the past 10 years. More than 65,000 suspects were arrested in 2023, compared to 53,000 in 2022. 

China has some of the strictest drug policies in the world, with the highest number of controlled drug types, according to the Ministry of Public Security. The use of 449 narcotics and psychotropic drugs is strictly regulated, with 10 new drugs added in 2023, including etomidate, tramadol, and tegileridine.

Most drugs in China are imported from abroad, including around 92.3% of heroin, methamphetamine, and ketamine seized in 2022.

Public security officials had previously warned of a rebound in drug-related crimes following the lifting of COVID-19 border restrictions.

Last year’s anti-drug campaigns mainly targeted the import of drugs from Southeast Asia. Chinese officials have worked with their counterparts in the “Golden Triangle” countries of Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos to stop drug importation at the source.

According to the latest announcement, more than 2,900 drug importation cases were solved last year, with 12.2 tons of illegal drugs seized at the border.

In December 2023, public security officials put arrest bounties on 10 fugitives in northern Myanmar involved in the smuggling of drugs, with a maximum reward of 200,000 yuan ($27,935).

According to the National Narcotics Control Commission, which implements China’s drug control strategy, the number of drug users in the country declined for five consecutive years since 2017 to 1.12 million at the end of 2022.

(Header image: VCG)