BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- China, Thailand and the United States have agreed to strengthen cooperation on combating drug-related crime, following a major joint maritime operation that resulted in a record drug seizure, according to China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS).

During a recent meeting on the case, representatives of the MPS, the Royal Thai Police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) exchanged information on their respective investigations.

In the early hours of Feb. 24, 2025, acting on intelligence provided by the DEA, China's narcotics control and coast guard authorities launched a maritime operation 130 nautical miles southwest of Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea, seizing the vessel and arresting seven suspects aboard. About 4,973 kg of methamphetamine were confiscated on-site.

The case marked the largest single maritime drug bust in the Asia-Pacific region in recent years and has been hailed as a milestone in trilateral law enforcement cooperation. Thai and U.S. authorities had worked together to conduct an investigation, and proactively shared intelligence with China, leading to the successful interception of the drug-laden vessel.

Facing escalating global drug challenges, China has expressed its willingness to deepen intelligence exchange and law enforcement cooperation with other countries on the basis of equality and mutual respect, and to unite in combating transnational drug crime. ■