Chinese police have arrested 85 people and seized tonnes of crystal meth in the country’s biggest drug bust.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 44 tonnes of raw materials that could have been used to make more than 2 billion yuan (£180 million) of the illegal amphetamine. The substances, including a large amount of ephedrine — used in common flu medicines but also a main component of crystal meth, or methamphetamine — were crushed using a steamroller by authorities.
The raid, in the city of Yibin, in Sichuan province in the southwest of the country, was carried out in October but revealed only yesterday. It took place after a six-month investigation involving the National Narcotics Control Commission, the State Food and Drug Administration and local police. The arrested gang members were charged with producing and selling the drug, also known as “ice”, and will be executed if convicted.
Crystal meth is increasingly widespread in China as rising incomes offer more young people the funds to use recreational drugs.
Methamphetamines have become widely available in bars and clubs across the country, and the raw materials for their manufacture are easily obtained because of corruption among officials.
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Government statistics put the number of known drug addicts at 1.2 million, including 700,000 heroin users. More than two thirds of those are under the age of 35.
In the raid at Yibin, police demolished eight illegal factories and confiscated ten apartments and 21 cars that were allegedly bought with drug money. They also confiscated 18.2 million yuan in cash from the underground drugs laboratories.
The Legal Daily newspaper said: “This is a huge illegal drug case that took six months to investigate, was spread out over 21 provinces and regions, and included five gangs with more than 85 people suspected of being involved.” As the use of recreational drugs has become more widespread, officials have tried to limit access to ephedrine by restricting how much medicine individuals can buy that contain the substance — a common ingredient in many traditional Chinese herbal cures.
Last year drug officials began tracking large purchases of ephedrine. Police are alarmed, however, at the rapid spread of such chemicals, and one officer said that he was “not optimistic” about stemming its illegal use, with chemicals being smuggled in from neighbouring countries.