CRI听力:Chinese Police Nab 60,500 in Drug Operations

Chinese police have arrested 60-thousand suspects for drug-related crimes from late September to the end of December, an increase of over 47 percent compared to the same period a year ago.

Investigators seized over 11 tons of narcotics during that time frame, a 20 percent increase.

The operation is part of the ongoing nationwide campaign to "ban drugs in hundreds of cities". The effort will continue until April.

Earlier, the Ministry of Public Security said that around 180-thousand drug users had been punished, as of the middle of December, with more than 55-thousand sent for compulsory rehabilitation.

Liu Yuejin, drug control bureau chief of the Ministry, vows further measures are to be taken to deal with drug cases.

"Local drug control authorities must thoroughly investigate gangs who deal in retail sales of narcotics in their localities. Investigation will also be enhanced to find clues on cases of drug sales via the Internet."

A briefing by the Ministry also reveals that the number of users of synthetic drugs is on the rise, especially among the younger population. By the end of November, the number of registered users of those drugs stood at nearly 1.4 million nationwide.