On June 25, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) held a press conference on the theme of "Strengthening Legal Supervision over Drug-Related Cases and Strictly Punishing Drug-Related Crimes in Accordance with the Law", during which 10 typical cases were released.
Zhang Jianzhong, Director General of the SPP's Procuratorial Department for Major Crimes, introduced the characteristics of the released cases at the conference.
A distinct feature is the comprehensive and stringent crackdown on drug-related crimes and associated offenses. In response to current trends — such as cyber-based operations, chain-structured organizations, cross-regional flows, deep concealment, and difficulties in evidence collection — procuratorial organs have consistently maintained a "zero-tolerance" stance and unwavering determination in the fight against drug-related crimes.
By leveraging the mechanism for investigative supervision, collaboration and assistance, procuratorates have intervened in drug cases at an early stage in accordance with the law, actively guided evidence collection, and comprehensively gathered and strengthened evidence in accordance with the law. This evidence-based approach has underpinned the criminal prosecution system, enabling precise prosecution of drug offenders.
At the same time, procuratorial organs have intensified efforts to combat crimes at the source, such as drug smuggling and manufacturing, while resolutely targeting drug lords, habitual offenders, repeat offenders, and recidivists who exhibit a high degree of culpability and pose a significant threat to public safety. In cases of extremely serious crimes, they have firmly recommended the death penalty in accordance with the law, delivering a strong deterrent to potential offenders.
The "dual investigation of each case" system has also been strictly implemented to carry out full-chain crackdowns on upstream and downstream drug crimes, drug-related money laundering, and other derivative crimes — all contributing to a tangible enhancement of the overall effectiveness of anti-drug efforts.
Zhang emphasized that procuratorates have remained committed to their primary responsibility of legal supervision and the fundamental mission of handling cases with high quality and efficiency. They have continuously deepened the implementation of the mechanism for investigative supervision, coordination and assistance, steadily intensified supervision of case filing and investigative activities in drug-related cases, thoroughly explored leads for legal supervision over drug crimes, and lawfully pursued offenses and offenders that had been missed.
He added that procuratorial organs have also strengthened supervision of adjudication with enhanced precision, intensity, and depth. For judgments that were found to be erroneous, procuratorial organs have sought correction through criminal protests, ensuring that justice is upheld without wrongful convictions or undue leniency through the rigor of procuratorial supervision.
Procuratorial organs have always adhered to the principle of combining punishment with prevention and addressing both symptoms and root causes during case handling. By performing their duties, they have promptly conducted investigations and research on emerging and deep-seated problems discovered, and put forward targeted governance countermeasures. These efforts have promoted the extension of crime crackdowns to systematic governance and helped prevent and reduce drug-related crimes at their source.
In response to issues such as source-related drug manufacturing crimes and the lack of supervision and control over narcotic and psychotropic drugs for medical use, procuratorial recommendations have been issued to plug regulatory loopholes and strengthen oversight.
In addition, procuratorates have strengthened communication and collaboration with the competent departments to promote sustained regulatory efforts.
