China busts cocaine ring — with U.S. help

'A model for the future'
Arrests and seizures continued until March 17, Liu said, adding the investigation was aided by key intelligence from the DEA.

Chinese and U.S. authorities have been stepping up cooperation in recent years as the drug trade between the two countries grows. The DEA quietly opened an office in Beijing about five years ago.

Fiebig said the agency has been working closely with China’s anti-narcotics agency, but the cocaine case marked the first time Chinese customs has worked with U.S. authorities on a drug investigation.

“We hope this will lay out a model for the future,” Fiebig said. He wouldn’t reveal details of the investigation, but said agents “shared intelligence, combined investigation resources and coordinated investigation activities, all in real time.”

Officials said they were still preparing charges against the nine suspects, who could face the death penalty in China if convicted of smuggling. No requests have been received to extradite the two Colombian suspects from Hong Kong to their homeland, they said.

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