Customs authorities seized 73 kilograms of drugs in 49
trafficking cases in the first four months of the year, 35
kilograms of which were ketamine, according to sources from the
Beijing-based General Administration of Customs (GAC) on
Sunday.
"The GAC has paid much more attention to the increasing amount
of ketamine smuggled into the mainland this year," they said.
Only 15 grams of ketamine were seized by customs in the first
quarter of last year, and the increase has been put down to the
huge profits available.
GAC officers have prosecuted 15 cases of ketamine smuggling so
far this year. Most were people carrying the drug in their luggage,
with 10 carrying more than two kilograms each.
Ketamine hydrochloride is used as an anaesthetic in both animals
and humans, but its recreational use is on the rise among young
people, often in clubs. Its effects can vary widely depending on
where and how it is used, and can be dangerous particularly if used
in high doses or in combination with other substances.
One man named Zheng had almost seven kilograms in his baggage
when trying to enter the mainland through Luohu, a port in
Shenzhen. Further investigations led to the arrest of three others
involved in the case.
Early last month at Gaoqi Airport in Xiamen, Fujian
Province, customs inspectors discovered about three kilograms
of ketamine packed as food. After netting the suspect, customs
officers caught another waiting to receive the drugs.
More than 15 kilograms have also been seized this year in
Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong
Province.
(China Daily May 9, 2005)