China seizes 430kg of cocaine aided by US intel, a sign anti-drug agreement may be working

Chinese authorities are reported to have seized the cocaine from an international container at Yantian port in Shenzhen, southern China. Photo: Reuters

Chinese authorities last month intercepted 430kg (948lbs) of cocaine aided by tip-offs from the United States, indicating possible progress on the issue following an agreement on counternarcotics cooperation reached by the leaders of the two countries in October.

The drugs were found inside an international container at Yantian port in Shenzhen, southern China, on November 26, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Tuesday. The case is under investigation and no other details were given.

Earlier this month, China said narcotics control authorities in both countries had been steadily “advancing joint anti-drug efforts and achieving notable results”.

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US, China join forces to counter global fentanyl trade

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China’s Ministry of Public Security said on December 6 that the two sides had worked on multiple cases together and maintained “close communication”, including holding video conferences, exchanging progress updates and discussing major areas for future cooperation.

“China will cooperate with the US on the basis of equality and mutual respect to jointly tackle the prominent global drug issue,” it said.