Chinese law enforcement authorities rounded up 101,000 suspects during 89,000 drug investigations in 2010, an 11 percent increase on the number from a year earlier.
The details were included in an annual report published by the Office of National Narcotics Control Commission.
The number of drug-related criminal cases was 15.6 percent more than in 2009, according to the Annual Report on Drug Control in China 2011.
Under the Criminal Law, suspects are prosecuted for drug trafficking even if they are found carrying a small quantity of contraband. Anyone found in possession of more than 50 grams of heroin or methamphetamine (also known as "ice"), more than a kilogram of opium, or large quantities of other narcotics, could possibly face the death penalty.
The authorities said more than 40 notorious producers of narcotics and major dealers, some with overseas connections, were arrested during anti-drug raids. The report said such swoops "strongly deterred" criminals involved in the production and distribution of drugs.
A total of 46 online drug trafficking groups were eradicated in 2010, it added.
In January, Luo Li, the former deputy head of the anti-narcotics department in Southwest China's Chongqing municipality, was sentenced to death after he was found guilty of murder, graft and drug trafficking.
According to prosecutors, Luo had collaborated with drug dealers in Chongqing since 2005 in exchange for 1.2 million yuan ($182,300) in bribes. Investigators also found that two drug dealers had trafficked more than 120,000 grams of heroin between 1997 and 2010. They too received death sentences.
In addition, the authorities seized 5.3 tons of heroin, 1 ton of opium, 9.9 tons of methamphetamine, 4.9 tons of ketamine and 3.2 tons of marijuana during 2010, the report said. Another 869 tons of chemicals that could have been used to produce drugs were confiscated.
Questions:
1. How many people were arrested for drugs during 2010?
2. How many online drug trafficking groups were eradicated in 2010?
3. How much did Luo Li receive in bribes?
Answers:
1. 101,000.
2. 46.
3. 1.2 million yuan.
(中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑)
About the broadcaster:
Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.