China makes major drug seizure with help of Thailand and US

China, Thailand and the United States have agreed to further strengthen their cooperation to investigate and combat a major drug trafficking case and dismantle the criminal network behind it, according to a release of the Chinese counternarcotics authorities.

Counternarcotics bodies of the three countries reached the agreement at a recent meeting held in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, to discuss the case and share their work progress.

In the early hours of Feb 24, China's anti-drug and coast guard departments intercepted a ship named Jisheng, located 130 nautical miles southwest of Huangyan Island, capturing seven suspects and seizing nearly 5 metric tons of methamphetamine, said a statement from the Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission.

The operation was conducted based on clues provided by the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the office said, adding that the Royal Thai Police and the US DEA had worked together to investigate and taken the initiative to share the information with the Chinese side, which in turn took quick response.

The case is the largest one at sea in the Asia-Pacific region in recent years in terms of the amount of drug seized, and its successful cracking serves as a good example of international counternarcotics law enforcement cooperation, the office said.

The office quoted a Chinese official as noting that China hopes to boost intelligence exchanges and cooperation with counternarcotics authorities of related countries on the basis of equal cooperation and mutual respect, and work with them to tackle the global drug issue.