Zhang Qisheng, a key drug tycoon who is allegedly responsible for massive "ice" drug production and smuggling, has been arrested after hiding out in Thailand for two years and seven months, said Chen Cunyi, officer in charge of drug crackdown at the Ministry.

Zhang was traced by police during the investigation of the Tan Xiaolin group, considered to be the largest drug smuggling racket cracked by Chinese police over the last five decades. Tan Xiaolin was arrested last year through collaboration efforts between Chinese and Myanmar police.

In November 1999, police discovered 12.36 tons of "ice" at one of Zhang's warehouse facilities in Guangzhou, in south China's Guangdong province. Soon after, Zhang escaped to Thailand with a fake passport.

He was later picked up by Thai police for using a fake passport and handed over to the immigration department, which handed him over to Chinese police on June 27.

Zhang's capture is a great success for China's crackdown against drug production and trafficking. Chinese police are familiar with methods to produce and transport "ice", and have greatly improved their ability to solve these cases, said Chen.

Zhang's case, a successful example of international cooperation, has demonstrated China's determination to fight against drug trafficking, said Wang Zhigang, officer in charge of international cooperation at the Ministry.

Wang noted that, in order to solve the Tan and Zhang's cases, Jia Chunwang, Minister of Public Security, had also contacted senior Myanmar and Thai officials, including H.E. Colonel Tin Hlaing, Minister for Home Affairs and Chairman of the Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control of Myanmar and General Thammarak Isarangura, Minister for the Prime Minister's Office of Thailand.

International cooperation has become more effective in the crackdown against drug trafficking. Those who attempt to hide out abroad after committing a crime in China will surely be apprehended and punished, Chen warned.

(Xinhua News Agency September 9, 2002)