Office of National Narcotics Control Commission

June, 2023

Foreword

In 2022, China's drug control authorities achieved significant milestones by fully implementing the strategy of "addressing the root causes of drug demand and supply". Through initiatives like the "100-day operation" and a targeted focus on prevalent drug issues, notable progress was made. A total of 35,000 drug-related cases were successfully resolved, leading to the arrest of 53,000 suspects. Furthermore, 21.9 tons of various drugs were seized, and 197,000 individuals were identified as drug users. These figures represent substantial year-on-year declines of 28.6%, 24.3%, 18.7%, and 39.7%, respectively. Various factors, including COVID-19 restrictions, continuous crackdowns, and rectification measures, have contributed to an overall improvement in the country's drug situation. In fact, the number of drug offenses has reached its lowest level in nearly a decade, with a simultaneous decrease in drug supply, consumption, and abuse. However, it is important to recognize that drugs continue to proliferate globally, with an increase in drug production, the number of drug users, and drug smuggling and trafficking activities. These dynamics present new challenges and changes for China's drug situation, particularly following the relaxation of COVID-19 control measures within the country.

I. Drug Abuse

Thanks to extensive drug prevention education and the "Care for Drug Users" campaign, the scale of drug abuse has continued to decrease. As of the end of 2022, there were 1.124 million current registered drug users nationwide, representing a year-on-year decrease of 24.3% (accounting for 0.8‰ of the total population of the country). Additionally, there were 3.79 million individuals who remained drug-free for more than three years after withdrawal, indicating an 11.4% year-on-year increase, and 71,000 newly discovered drug users, representing a decline of 41.7%. The continuous decline in the number of current registered drug users for five consecutive years, and the increasing number of individuals maintaining long-term abstinence for over three years after withdrawal for ten consecutive years, demonstrate the achievements made in addressing drug use problems.

-- The number of drug users continued to decrease. Among the current registered drug users, 416,000 were using heroin, 588,000 were using methamphetamine, and 32,000 were using ketamine, representing year-on-year decreases of 25.2%, 25.8%, and 14.7%, respectively. The results of waste water analysis also showed a significant drop in the consumption of the three main types of drugs: heroin, methamphetamine, and ketamine. 

-- A diversification in drug use emerged. Due to the sharp decline in drug supply, prices of main domestic drugs surged, leading to drugs being either unavailable or available at very high prices. Consequently, some drug users resorted to alternative narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, new psychoactive substances (NPS), or non-scheduled substances, resulting in an increase in poly-drug use. Throughout the year, there has been a rise in the number of people using narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances such as tramadol and diclazepam, and NPS such as fluoroketamine and synthetic cannabinoids.

-- The harm caused by the abuse of alternative substances became evident. Public safety was affected by incidents involving individuals with mental disorders, hallucinations, and manic symptoms resulting from the use of these substances. Some criminals utilized sedative, hypnotic, and anesthetic psychotropic drugs to create "rape water" and "obedient water", leading to cases of rape, molestation, and other criminal activities. The use of uncontrolled substances like "laughing gas" (nitrous oxide) and etomidate was also observed among young people in many places.

II. Drug Sources

Drugs in China primarily originated from overseas, with domestically-produced drugs accounting for a very small proportion of the total. In 2022, a total of 11.7 tons of heroin, methamphetamine, and ketamine were seized, representing a 32% year-on-year decrease. Out of the 11.7 tons of drugs seized, 10.9 tons came from overseas sources, while 0.8 tons were sourced domestically, accounting for 92.3% and 6.7% of the total drug seizures, respectively.

1. Overseas Drug Sources

-- The "Golden Triangle" area remained the primary source of drugs entering China. In 2022, 1.3 tons of heroin were seized, representing a 27.6% year-on-year decrease. Out of this amount, 1.29 tons originated from the "Golden Triangle" area, while 15.8 kilograms came from the "Golden Crescent" area, accounting for 98.8% and 1.2% of the total seizures, respectively. Additionally, 9.1 tons of methamphetamine were seized, reflecting a 39.3% year-on-year decrease, with 8.4 tons originating from the "Golden Triangle" area, accounting for 92.1% of the total seized.

-- There was an increase in the trafficking of ketamine and cocaine into China from abroad. In 2022, 1.3 tons of ketamine were seized, representing a significant 185% year-on-year increase. Ketamine mainly originated from Cambodia and Thailand, transiting through the southeast coast of China to Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan Province. Cocaine seizures totaled 176.6 kilograms in 2022, a 74.4% year-on-year decrease. The majority of cocaine was transported from South America to the coastal areas of China for transit. 

-- The majority of cannabis seized in China originated from North America. In 2022, 200.6 kilograms of overseas cannabis were seized, reflecting a year-on-year decrease of 35.1%. Cannabis was trafficked into various provinces in China primarily through small international parcels, frequently originating from North America.

2. Domestic Drug Manufacturing

-- Domestic drug manufacturing activities continued to decline. This was a result of targeted operations against drug manufacturing and regions with prominent drug problems, as well as crackdowns on the entire drug supply chain. Large-scale drug production activities have been curbed, with 656 kilograms of drugs seized in 2022, representing a 12.4% year-on-year decrease. Some provinces still experienced sporadic drug production activities, characterized by covert locations, small scales, distributed processing, and multi-point synthesis.

-- The diversion of precursor chemicals was also on the decline. Effective regulation of chemicals, continuous promotion of precursor management, and enhanced tracking of diverted chemicals have successfully curbed the diversion of precursor chemicals in China. In 2022, 287 cases involving precursor chemicals were resolved, reflecting a 24.8% year-on-year increase, while 660.2 tons of precursor chemicals were seized, representing a 48.5% year-on-year decrease. To evade legal supervision and crackdowns, criminals constantly updated their synthesis routes and sought non-scheduled chemicals for drug production.

III. Drug Trafficking

In 2022, a total of 27,000 drug smuggling, trafficking, and transportation cases were resolved nationwide, resulting in the arrest of 41,000 offenders and the seizure of 10 tons of drugs. These figures represent year-on-year decreases of 29.9%, 31.7%, and 29.3%, respectively. Various factors, including pandemic control measures, border restrictions, and targeted operations addressing the root causes of drug demand and supply, significantly reduced drug trafficking activities in China. Drug traffickers adapted their methods and employed trafficking models that were less affected by the pandemic and had a lower risk of detection.

-- Overland trafficking was the primary method used. A total of 20,000 cases involving land-based drug trafficking were resolved, resulting in the seizure of 7 tons of drugs. These numbers represent year-on-year decreases of 28.1% and 49.3%, respectively, and account for 74.1% and 68.6% of the total, respectively. Additionally, 2,103 cases of drug trafficking through postal parcels were resolved, with 1.5 tons of drugs seized, reflecting year-on-year decreases of 43.8% and 57.1%, respectively. These cases account for 7.8% and 14.3% of the total, respectively. Large-scale maritime drug trafficking has become a prominent issue, with 1.1 tons of drugs seized, accounting for 0.8% of the total.

-- Cross-regional drug trafficking declined. Due to COVID-19 and restrictions on cross-border and cross-regional movement, the number of foreign and migrant drug traffickers decreased. In 2022, 141 foreign suspects were arrested for drug-related crimes, representing a year-on-year decrease of 47%. A total of 4,543 drug trafficking cases involving multiple provinces were resolved, reflecting a year-on-year decrease of 34.7%. Additionally, 6,626 migrant drug traffickers were arrested, marking a year-on-year decrease of 30.7%.

-- Non-contact drug trafficking methods became prominent. In 2022, there were 2,761 cases of online drug trafficking, resulting in the seizure of 1.2 tons of drugs, representing a 119% year-on-year increase. Against the backdrop of COVID-19 restrictions, more criminals colluded on the internet, shared drug-related information online, and communicated through niche social software and coded language. They deleted chat records after reading, made payments using virtual or game currencies, hired professional teams, and took advantage of logistic trucks, parcels, or express delivery services to transport drugs with the identities of both the senders and recipients kept hidden.

-- Drug prices continued to soar. Due to the significant reduction in drug supply and the disruption of drug trafficking and circulation channels, the national average retail prices of the three common drug types in China experienced sharp increases compared to the previous year. The price of heroin reached 1,261.1 RMB/gram, reflecting a 31.6% year-on-year increase; crystal methamphetamine was priced at 1,207 RMB/gram, representing a 37% year-on-year increase; ketamine was priced at 794 RMB/gram, indicating a 67.7% year-on-year increase.

Afterword

In 2023, China's drug control agencies will persist in their mission and fulfill their responsibilities. They will adapt their strategies to address the challenges arising from the changing drug landscape in the post COVID-19 era. The focus will remain on tackling the root causes of drug demand and supply, while promoting a modernized drug governance mechanism that reflects Chinese characteristics. Efforts will be made to sustain the positive trajectory of the drug situation and contribute to the comprehensive development of a modern China.