Comments on Xu Zirong’s Report [1] Concerning Public Security Personnel Engaged in Drug Trafficking, Theft and Sale of Narcotics, and Cover-up of Drug Offenders
(April 8, 1952)


Comrade Fuchun, please read this and then forward it to Comrade Xu Zirong:
Last time, Comrade Fuchun proposed establishing special task forces to deal with the drug problem as well as other specific issues. Please promptly submit a list of personnel and consult with Comrade Xu Zirong. The views put forward by Comrade Xu Zirong121 are sound.
Chuan


Xu Zirong was at that time Vice Minister of the Ministry of Public Security of the Central People’s Government.
Mao Zedong
April 8
[2]


Refers to the opinions set forth in Xu Zirong’s report dated April 8, 1952, addressed to Mao Zedong and the Central Committee, concerning public security officers’ involvement in drug trafficking, manufacture and sale of narcotics, theft and resale of confiscated drugs, and protection of drug dealers. The report stated that since the launch of the Three-Anti Campaign, numerous serious drug-related crimes committed by personnel within the public security organs had been uncovered. These egregious practices not only inflicted severe damage on the Party, the People’s Government, and the people’s public security organs in the eyes of the masses, but also further fueled the rampant spread of drug abuse throughout society. Therefore, at the conclusion of the Three-Anti Campaign, it was imperative to mount another large-scale mass campaign against drugs, in close coordination with the railway, transportation, and customs authorities. Whether engaging in drug use, theft and resale, trafficking, manufacturing and sale of narcotics, or providing cover for drug offenders, any such conduct by public security personnel constituted a grave violation of the law and must be dealt with strictly. In general, penalties should be imposed in accordance with the measures applied to corrupt officials, taking into account the severity and circumstances of each offense, without any leniency. It would be advisable to handle these cases collectively after addressing those involving corrupt officials, so as to foster a widespread aversion to the shameful act of drug trafficking and eradicate this pernicious phenomenon once and for all.