Mekong crackdown nets 800 suspects

Mekong crackdown nets 800 suspects

Police from four countries have detained more than 800 suspects and shut down several drug rings in a crackdown on gangs operating along the Mekong River, Chinese state media said on Tuesday.

A file photo of the Mekong River. Police are targeting large-scale trafficking and drug production bases in the "Golden Triangle" straddling the borders between China, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. (AP photo)

The month-long operation by police from China, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos led to the arrest of 812 suspects from the four nations and Vietnam, Xinhua news agency quoted Chinese police as saying.

Police seized 1.93 tonnes of drugs as well as guns and ammunition in the operation, which is scheduled to continue for another month, spokesman Lan Weihong said.

Speaking at the headquarters of the joint operation in China's south-western city of Kunming, Lan said police intelligence suggested that several drug rings had "ceased operation in the wake of the crackdown".

Police are targeting large-scale trafficking and drug production bases in the notorious "Golden Triangle" straddling the area where the borders of the four countries meet.

The agreement to cooperate on the joint mission followed the murder of 13 Chinese crewmen on a vessel on the Mekong River in October 2011.

Golden Triangle drug lord Nor Kham and three accomplices were executed for the murders.

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