Drug crackdown in capital nets suspects

A total of 193 people suspected of drug-related crimes have been detained in a recent campaign to maintain social stability, Beijing police reported on Thursday.

Since the campaign was launched at the end of June, police officers across the city have caught 344 people taking drugs and seized 1,547 grams of illicit substances, according to a statement from the Beijing Public Security.

In one case, police in Fengtai district arrested a gang of 16 suspects who are allegedly responsible for drug trafficking in four provincial regions, including the capital, and seized around 200 grams of methamphetamine.

During the crackdown, officers inspected 300 medical institutions and 2,000 businesses that make use of chemicals to prevent raw materials that can be made into drugs from getting onto the market, the statement said.

Additionally, entertainment venues, hotels, internet bars and bath centers were inspected, to prevent people from gathering to take drugs.

Officers also visited villages, schools and communities to talk about the dangers of drugs, calling on residents to avoid drugs and raising awareness of self-protection.