The narcotics control authorities of Beijing said Monday the city had arrested 4,065 drug-related suspects in the first 11 months this year and seized 249 kilograms of various drugs.

"The capital busted 3,600 drug-related cases from January to November, arresting 1,080 suspects involved in drugs trade," said Fu Zhenghua, deputy director of the Beijing Narcotics Control Commission.

The seized drugs include 202 kilograms of methamphetamine (commonly known as "ice"), over ten times that of last year, according to Fu.

The city launched a special campaign to crack down on drug crimes in amusement venues in June this year. More than 18,000 policemen took part in the anti-drug move.

Thirty-eight out of about 1,000 entertainment venues in Beijing were found involved in drug-related crimes, among which 11 were ordered to halt operation for improvement and three others shut down, according to Fu.

"Drugs have been completely banned in amusement venues in Beijing," said Fu.

"Beijing plans to use mild sniffer dogs for drugs detection in public venues, such as densely-populated bus, subway and railway stations, shopping malls, parks and theatres," said Zhao Wenzhong, director of the narcotics control department of the Beijing Public Security Bureau.

The city will try to achieve the goal of no drugs in public venues at the end of next year, Zhao said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 26, 2006)