According to the National Narcotics and Control Team, 2009 saw more drug cases and quantity of drugs than any other year in Chinese history. Chinese customs took control of 2,119.2 kilograms of drugs during its crackdown on drug trafficking. This figure is seen as 150 percent increase from 2008. 506 drug smuggling cases were brought before court with 553 suspects. The most common form of smuggling was through postal and express mail accounting for 151 of the cases. Baby diapers and auto axles were also used.
The largest case of the year was the result of a six month investigation that eventually lead to the arrest of 85 gang members on charges of producing and distributing crystal meth. Police destroyed 44 tons of raw materials that could be used to make crystal meth worth $318 million, and 900 pounds of ephedrine, a main component of methamphetamine, it said. They also destroyed eight illegal factories and confiscated 10 apartments and 21 cars belonging to the suspects.
The drug trade in China has flourished as social controls have been loosened over the last several decades. Government statistics put the number of known addicts at 1.2 million, including 700,000 heroin users, more than two-thirds of them being under the age of 35.