Pubdate: Fri, 23 Feb 2001
Source: BBC News (UK Web)
Copyright: 2001 BBC
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CHINA, HONG KONG DRUGS WAR

Customs officers in Hong Kong and southern China are setting up a special 
task force to tackle a major surge in drug smuggling into the former 
British colony.

There's been a dramatic rise in the number of seizures of drugs like 
ecstasy, produced in increasing quantities in mainland China.

Police in Hong Kong say the illegal trade is increasing because of the ease 
with which people can cross the border and the fact that drugs command high 
prices in Hong Kong.

The BBC correspondent in Hong Kong says huge markets for these substances 
are being found among young and newly-affluent consumers in the region.

 From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
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