Chinese customs authorities have confiscated almost 20 tons of smuggled narcotics over the past decade, the general administration of customs said yesterday.
The drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and opium, were seized in 3,978 cases involving more than 4,400 suspects, it said.
More than 370 tons of raw materials for drug-making, such as ephedrine and acetic anhydride, were also seized.
Narcotics smuggling has soared in recent years. Customs authorities confiscated 5.1 tons of smuggled drugs last year alone, 11 times the total in 2005.
Meanwhile, the number of smuggling cases rose to 466 last year, three times the number reported in 2005.
A global customs enforcement operation, codenamed "SKY-NET" and organized by the World Customs Organization in cooperation with Chinese customs in 2012, resulted in the discovery of 9.5 tons of illicit products.
As part of its rigid stance on drug smuggling, local customs authorities will next month launch a seven-month campaign on drug smuggling.