Drug related crimes drop 12,6% in ten months
Ha Noi, Nov. 10 (VNA) -- The police force has so far this year discovered 9,430 cases of drug-related crimes and arrested 17,130 suspects, year-on-year decreases of 12.6 percent and 17.8 percent, respectively, according to the Anti-Drug Office of the Ministry of Public Security.
They confiscated 51.26 kg of heroin, 470 kg of opium, more than 2,080 kg of marijuana, 112,400 ampoules and 66,000 doses of narcotics.
Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City had the most complicated cases of drug trafficking and drug-related crimes, accounting for 48.8 percent and 49.7 percent, respectively, of the country's total figures in the reviewed period.
People's courts at all levels have settled 4,400 drug-related cases involving nearly 5,680 people. They have tried more than 3,200 cases involving 4,600 offenders and given death sentences to 41 of them and life imprisonment to 37 others.
Viet Nam currently has 100,300 drug addicts, including 1,609 pupils and students, a decrease of 4,280 people compared to December last year.
The encouraging results in drug control were partly attributed to localities' efforts in carrying out socio-economic development programmes including a programme to plant other industrial crops in replacement of the opium poppy.
To further boost drug prevention and fight, the Ministry of Public Security has submitted a national programme on drug control for the 2001-2005 period to the Government for approval. Relevant ministries and localities nationwide have also increased inspection and information on this work.--
