HK Behind Drug Trafficking In China: Officials

Mainland anti-drug officials said on Monday drug syndicates in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan had been providing funds to recruit and control traffickers in the country.

The Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission said almost 190 people from the three places were arrested last year in joint-operations with their counterparts, seizing 7.3 tonnes of drugs.

In total, the commission reported more than 100,000 drug smuggling cases last year, and 50 tonnes of narcotics were confiscated.

Officials also said there was an increase of cocaine trafficking cases last year.

They found drug dealers in South America hoarding the drug in places like Guangdong, before smuggling them to Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand bit by bit.

The commission said drug problem is serious and complicated and they will step up education and intelligence exchange with other countries.

Officials expressed hope countries, including the United States, will not affect drug enforcement works because of political factor.