Drug-related cases increased sharply in Guangdong province in the first five months of the year, local police said on Wednesday.

Provincial department of public security figures said Guangdong's law enforcement uncovered 6,015 drug-related cases and detained 7,318 suspects during the period, respective year-on-year increases of 46.9 percent and 36.8 percent.

In addition, more than 2.6 tons of drugs had been seized.

"Domestic and overseas drug traffickers and producers have continuously tried to build Guangdong, which borders Hong Kong and Macao and offers convenient transportation, into a major drug-distribution center," said Wang Junke, director of the anti-drug bureau under the Guangdong provincial department of public security.

In 2009, the police handled more than 12,000 drug-related cases and detained more than 15,000 suspects, respective year-on-year increases of 75.9 percent and 65.5 percent.

More than 11 tons of drugs with an estimated street value of more than 4.3 billion yuan ($632 million) were seized last year, up 28.9 percent year-on-year.

The drugs seized in 2009 included 1.46 tons of heroin, 1.5 tons of methamphetamine, 2.12 tons of ketamine, 2.66 tons of ecstasy pills and powders, and a large quantity of other illegal substances.

In addition, police seized 176 guns and 8,901 bullets in the busts of 193 drug-manufacturing locations in 2009, up 62 percent year-on-year. Law enforcement also cracked down on 491 drug gangs, more than twice the previous year's figure.

Last June, Guangdong police cooperated with customs officers to uncover a major smuggling ring, discovering 1,032 kg of heroin and detaining 16 suspects. The detainees included eight from Pakistan, two from Nigeria, one from Kenya and one from Ghana.

Dongguan police also destroyed a drug-production base, detaining 15 suspects, including one Hong Kong and six Taiwan residents.

Police seized 8 kg of methamphetamine, 246 kg of ketamine and 33 kg of other drugs, in addition to an abundance of raw materials, and semi-finished products and weapons. Authorities also believe they have destroyed a major drug trafficking channel through Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao.

Guangdong has more than 240,000 registered drug addicts, compared with 180,000 at the end of 2008, Wang said.

Li Haifang, a resident in Guangzhou's Sanyuanli area, said he believed the number of addicts has increased in Guangzhou in recent years.

"More suspected drug addicts have been seen visiting entertainment venues at night," he said.