China detains 1,900 in fake drug sweep

BEIJING - Chinese police have detained more than 1,900 people suspected of making or selling fake drugs in a nationwide bust.

Also, 1.16 billion yuan ($182 million) worth of fake medicine and related trademark logos, packages and instruction manuals have been seized, according to a statement from the Ministry of Public Security on Sunday.

The ministry said on the basis of previous investigations, more than 18,000 police were mobilized on July 25 to strike against gangs involved, in order to crack down on the industrial chains and circulation channels of fake medicines.

The seized fake drugs were illegally advertised for the treatment of hypertension, diabetes, skin diseases and other complicated illnesses or cancer, according to the statement.

Such drugs either delay treatment or cause damage to the liver and kidneys, and can cause myocardial infarction or cardiac arrest, it said.

The statement acknowledged that methods for manufacturing fake drugs has become more "elusive and deceptive" so as to escape police raids.

Rewards from 500 to 50,000 yuan will be handed out to whistleblowers who report suspected fake-medicine crimes, it said.