China to reward informants on drug-related crimes

China has introduced a new reward system to further mobilize the public in participating in the anti-drugs campaign.

Seized bags of crystal methamphetamine, part of a haul of 32kg of methamphetamine that was busted in a raid at a flat in Hong Kong's northern town of Yuen Long on 11 May 2018, are displayed during a Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department press conference in Hong Kong, China, 13 May 2018. [Photo: IC]

Informants will be awarded up to 300,000 yuan (44,000 U.S. dollars) for verified information on drug-related crimes, according to a guideline jointly issued by the office of the National Narcotics Control Commission, Ministry of Public Security, and Ministry of Finance.

It called for a mechanism to maintain the confidentiality of informants, under which their information should not be disclosed without their prior consent.

After cases are solved based on such information, police should contact the informants within 15 working days, said the document.

It also allowed local authorities to adjust the amount of the rewards in accordance with the situations in each region.