Customs officers, foreign authorities coordinate efforts

Guangzhou Customs in Guangdong province will strengthen international coordination in the fight against drug smuggling, as the flow of illegal drugs from China to foreign destinations is on the rise.

Customs figures from the provincial capital showed that, from September to April, authorities dealt with 149 smuggling cases involving drugs destined for Australia or New Zealand, about 15 times more than in the period from September 2012 to April 2013.

"The huge price differences between China and foreign countries are behind the sharp increase," said Cui Qingchao, director of the anti-smuggling department of Guangzhou Customs.