Police nab 44,000 in China's anti-drug war

Chinese police arrested 44,000 suspects for drug-related crimes in the past two months, seizing more than 21 tons of various drugs, the Ministry of Public Security revealed Thursday.

About 180,000 drug users were also punished, according to the ministry's statistics.

The police have uncovered another 91,653 new drug users since October, when a nationwide campaign was launched to "ban drugs in hundreds of cities," with 55,679 people placed under compulsory rehab programs, the ministry said. The campaign will last until April next year.

The southwestern province of Yunnan had the most drug crimes discovered. Police arrested 3,084 suspects and captured 5 tons of drugs in the province which neighbors Myanmar and Vietnam. The ministry said it has strengthened efforts in cutting off inflows of drugs from Yunnan and other border areas.

China has reinforced its crackdown on drug-related crimes in recent years, which began with several celebrities being caught for drug offenses.

Beijing police arrested talent show star Li Daimo in March for taking drugs in a rented house. Jaycee Chan, son of martial artist and actor Jackie Chan, was arrested on Aug. 14 in Beijing along with noted Taiwan movie star Kai Ko, following a marijuana bust in his residence.