Equality before the law

All suspects and convicted criminals will be treated equally before the law, regardless of their status or country of origin, an official said.

Drug crime is a global threat, which is why China has the ultimate penalty, capital punishment, Liu Yuejin, director of the narcotics control bureau at the Ministry of Public Security, said.

"Chinese laws treat everyone equally. No one can be above the law, no matter which country they come from," he said.

Drug cases in China involving foreigners have risen recently. Cases in Beijing increased from three in 2006 to 36 in 2009, court data showed.

Some foreign criminals were sentenced to death. But there have been problems, in investigations and the extradition of suspects and convicted smugglers, with countries that don't have capital punishment.

Dai Peng, a professor on criminal investigation with the Chinese People's Public Security University, said it is established international practice not to extradite criminals that are sentenced to death.

Liu Ce contributed to this story.