The Chinese capital's anti-drug authorities burned 135.3 kilograms of drugs on Sunday, in a determined effort to crack down on drugs before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The contraband, including heroin and methamphetamine, also knows as "ice" and Ecstasy, were confiscated by the Beijing police in 2004 and 2005.

The open burning of the drugs fully demonstrates the stance and determination of the local government to completely ban drugs, said Fu Zhenghua, deputy director of the narcotics control commission of Beijing.

"Beijing is striving to build a city free of drugs to embrace the 2008 Olympic Games," Fu said.

The capital police have busted 2,458 drug-related crimes this year, arresting 614 suspects and 1,373 drug addicts and confiscating more than 60 kilograms of drugs.

The capital city will begin to use trained dogs as of June 26 to detect drugs in public places, such as the airport, subway, and railway stations and shopping malls, according to Fu. The city will also expand the number of anti-drug volunteers with rewards of between 1,000 and 10,000 yuan (US$129 to 1,290) for those who provide tips on drug crimes for police.

(Xinhua News Agency June 4, 2007)