A border check of a truck in Yunnan on November 8 last year led to the seizure of 672.9 kilograms of heroin the biggest drug haul ever. Police have carried out a thorough investigation.

Twelve of the apprehended are Hong Kong citizens. Their arrest marks an end to the police investigation of the cross-border drug case, and the smashing of the drug-trafficking route from Myanmar to China's Yunnan. Police confiscated three million yuan in drug- dealing money.

Sun Dahong, vice director of the Yunnan Police Bureau, attributed the success of the operation to China's intensified and coordinated anti-drug drive, which sends a warning to international drug dealers.

Over 8000 Drug Cases Uncovered in Yunnan in 1999

There are as many as 8005 cases involving drug smuggling and trafficking having been uncovered last year in Yunnan and 10,223 captured. The last few years have seen a steep rise in the number of across-border cases smuggling drug into Yunnan, especially "ice" drug; measures have been taken to prevent flowing in of drug.

In 1997 and 1998, police guards in Yunnan confiscated 16.89 kilograms and 18.81 kilograms of ice drug respectively and the number soared to 383.72 kilograms in 1999, 24 folds over the previous two years. The first four months this year, however, have seen 82.5 kilograms of ice drugs having been captured.

Aside from ice drug, 4342.99 kilograms of drugs like heroin and opium and 670.14 tons of chemicals that can be easily turned into drugs were seized last year.

( February 5, 2002)