Society

Police raid nabs 29 in SW China drug lair

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-11-06 07:18

NANNING -- Police in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have raided an underground narcotics drug factory, arresting 29 people and confiscating tonnes of raw materials and ingredients for producing ephedrine.

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Ephedrine, a stimulant whose usage is restricted in China, can be extracted to make methamphetamine, one of the most popular chemical dopes in China, also known as "ice".

Police discovered over 100 kg of finished and half-finished ephedrine as they raided the drug den hidden in a deserted minefield in Laibin City on Thursday.

More than 40 tonnes of the Chinese herb Mahuang, 7 tonnes of diluting solution, and 2.5 tonnes of other chemicals - all ingredients for making ephedrine - were discovered in the raid.

Police said it was rare to raid a drug den with such a large manufacturing capacity.

Chinese laws provide that smuggling, trafficking, transporting and manufacturing narcotic drugs can lead to capital punishment.