BEIJING, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's judicial and law enforcement authorities have issued a set of guidelines on handling criminal cases involving fentanyl-related substances, stressing severe punishment for such crimes in accordance with the law.
The guidelines, jointly issued by China's Supreme People's Court, Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security, aim to ensure the accurate enforcement of the law, protect public health and maintain social stability.
The 18-article document sets out clear thresholds and standards for the conviction and sentencing in fentanyl-related cases, with different standards applying to cases involving pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical fentanyl-related substances.
It defines the scope of fentanyl-related substances covered by relevant laws and rules, and specifies requirements for evidence collection and the recovery of illicit proceeds in related cases.
The guidelines further clarify the respective responsibilities of judicial and law enforcement authorities in handling such offenses.
The top procuratorial and police authorities also jointly issued a set of rules on investigation and prosecution standards for related criminal cases.
The three authorities said in a statement that they would continue to strengthen law-based punishment and comprehensive prevention of crimes involving fentanyl-related substances, while advancing efforts to combat all drug-related crimes. ■
