1,300 arrested in Mekong anti-drug campaign

BEIJING - Police from China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand have arrested 1,300 suspects and seized 3.9 tonnes of drugs during a two-month anti-drug campaign that started in April, the Ministry of Public Security announced Tuesday.

Police confiscated 29 firearms, 797 bullets and 78.7 tonnes of chemicals used to produce drugs during the campaign, according to the ministry.

Police also solved 1,037 drug-related cases in the campaign, the ministry said.

It said the frequent occurrence of drug-related crimes on the Mekong River has been effectively contained.

The joint campaign against drug trafficking, titled "Safe River," was carried out from April 20 to June 20.

The Mekong River, which flows through China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, is a major trade route in Southeast Asia.