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)
