Drug-Trafficking Into China Surges After Pandemic Curbs Lifted, Report Says

00:00

00:00/00:00

Listen to this article 1x

The Office of National Narcotics Control Commission release a Drug Situation Report in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: VCG

Drug-trafficking in China surged last year after pandemic controls were lifted, making cross-border travel easier, and social activities gradually resumed, according to a government report.

More than 20 tons of illegal drugs produced by foreign sources were confiscated in 2023, up 85% year-on-year, according to a Drug Situation Report released by the Office of National Narcotics Control Commission (ONNCC) on Thursday.

You've accessed an article available only to subscribers

Subscribe today for just $.99.

VIEW OPTIONS

Unlock exclusive discounts with a Caixin group subscription — ideal for teams and organizations.

Subscribe to both Caixin Global and The Wall Street Journal — for the price of one.

Share this article

Open WeChat and scan the QR code

DIGEST HUB

Digest Hub

Back

Explore the story in 30 seconds

In 2023, China confiscated over 20 tons of illegal drugs, an 85% increase, and handled 32,000 drug-trafficking cases with 56,000 arrests.
The Golden Triangle, Golden Crescent, and Silver Triangle were major sources of trafficked drugs; methamphetamine from Mexico increased 24 times from 2022.
Domestic drug production showed signs of resurgence with 274 cases cracked, while the number of drug abusers in China decreased by 20.3% to 896,000.

AI generated, for reference only

What Happened When

2023：: Drug-trafficking in China surged after pandemic controls were lifted, making cross-border travel easier, and social activities gradually resumed.

2023：: More than 20 tons of illegal drugs produced by foreign sources were confiscated, up 85% year-on-year.

2023：: Chinese authorities cracked some 32,000 drug-trafficking and smuggling cases and made 56,000 arrests, up 18.5% and 36.5% year-on-year, respectively.

2023：: Nearly 1 ton of methamphetamine seized came from Mexico, 24 times the amount from 2022, while 2.6 tons of confiscated cocaine came from South America, marking an annual increase of 13.5 times.