The prevalence of drug smuggling in Southeast Asia, particularly those of synthetic drugs like methamphetamine, has led to a sharp rise in violence across China, according to state-run China Daily on Wednesday.

In the first nine months of this year alone, over a hundred incidents of drug-related violent crime have been reported. The figure is well above China's total in the past five years, said Narcotics Control Bureau chief Liu Yuejin.

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Given the statistics, China is now faced with the task of "curbing" the inflow of synthetic drugs in the country, especially methamphetamines, more commonly referred to by its street name "ice," which is popular drug of choice among Chinese addicts, he added.

Liu said that unlike traditional narcotics such as opium and heroine, methamphetamines cause extreme mood swings and "mental problems." This leads addicts to be more inclined to give in to violent urges such as kidnapping and murder.

The drugs are smuggled through China's southwestern Yunnan and Guangxi Zhuang, both areas bordering neighboring Southeast Asian countries, said Song Zengliang of the narcotics control bureau.

In 2013, Yunnan police had seized over 9 tons of methamphetamine believed to have been smuggled from Myanmar.

In 2013, Yunnan police had seized over 9 tons of methamphetamine smuggled from Myanmar. Likewise, drug smuggling from Vietnam to China has also risen in recent months.

China has coordinated efforts with Thailand, Laos and Myanmar to set up liaison facilities in border areas to deal with the issue. So far, the coalition has accounted for more than 10 anti-drug smuggling operations along the Mekong River.

Beijing's anti-drug campaign also includes yearly summits with other nations including Vietnam, Myanmar, Russia and the United States, Song said.

Liu noted that China's drug smuggling crackdown is seeking to upgrade its technical investigative methods in gathering intel and also to further judicial collaboration with other nations.

TagsChina crimes, Methamphetamines, Drug addiction, Drug smuggling crackdown