Major Crackdown on Border Crimes in China Yields Thousands of Arrests in 2024

In a significant effort to tackle border management crimes, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) in China reported that over 35,000 cases were investigated in 2024. This extensive operation resulted in the arrest of more than 79,000 suspects and the dismantling of 906 criminal organizations. Notably, 328 major cases received special oversight, and the initiative successfully apprehended 518 fugitives considered critical to addressing serious border-related offenses.

Furthermore, immigration authorities intensified their crackdown on illegal activities involving firearms, explosives, narcotics, and smuggling operations in border regions. The NIA uncovered a total of 494 drug-related cases, involving 653 suspects. Among these, 105 cases featured more than 10 kilograms of drugs, with the authorities seizing a cumulative weight of 7.8 tons of narcotics, as well as more than 2,000 firearms and over 100,000 rounds of ammunition.

To enhance border security and ensure the stability of national borders, the NIA implemented multiple specialized initiatives aimed at protecting national sovereignty and development interests. This included a coordinated special campaign to combat border management crimes, ultimately creating a formidable deterrent against cross-border criminal activities.

Between June and October 2024, immigration authorities mobilized 104,000 police and auxiliary officers, alongside 85,000 community volunteers, to initiate a summer security crackdown. This collective effort led to the apprehension of individuals engaged in ongoing criminal activities and the mitigation of various security threats.

In parallel, the NIA has continued to strengthen efforts to combat illegal foreign employment, entry, and residency. By leveraging public security exit and entry management bureaus throughout the country, authorities have maintained close surveillance on potential violations in key industries and locations, addressing issues such as illegal entry organization, unauthorized employment, and fraudulent marriages, particularly involving foreign nationals.