Comments on: Crude drug raid highlights ignorance of Beijing’s police

By: JCAMP

JCAMP — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:19:00 +0000

This is a very complicated matter that I am able to see both sides argument. On one hand, it is not fair to arrest someone for the sole reason being that they are black. On the other hand, every (OK maybe 95 %)drug dealer in this district fits the description of the younger black male who was targeted. Lets face this fact too, Beijing is not a hotbed for young African males to just be walking around. Sure there are some, but we are not in Kenya here. I really don’t think this was a big deal. I am sure if the men didn’t flee and showed their passport they were let go without issue quite soon. The ones who got injured were I have no doubt the ones who ran. The ambassadors son (this fact has no importance to the issue though, he is just a person after all) I’m sure ran and tried to use the fact that his father is an ambassador to make himself seem superior to others. Is it far to beat someone because they ran? I don’t think for that sole reason, but police have the authority to use force against people who resist arrest in any country in the world. China, United States, or any country that has a police force for that matter. Racial profiling is not new, and I could argue that it is even beneficial in certain circumstances. Bottom line, those who didn’t resist I am sure were released without punishment. Those who ran, although not warrented, may have been injured. This raid was done with the intentions of protecting the public, not to “beat blacks” or anything like that. Once again, this is not a black or white issue and both sides could make solid arguments in their favor.

By: T.K

T.K — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 17:06:37 +0000

Say No To Drugs wrote:
“It is irrelevant that the arrestee is Black or is a foreigner with Diplomatic immunity[...]”
…wrong. Violation of diplomatic immunity is a very serious matter. If the police or their civilian contractors really did beat an ambassador’s son, it tells a lot of their ham-fisted operation. The words incompetent and brutal come to mind.

By: Don't Eat My Buchela

Don't Eat My Buchela — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 10:50:09 +0000

Great post.

Thanks!

By: Deportation

Deportation — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 07:28:52 +0000

There is an issue that has not been discussed as to date. It is the Deportation of those individuals that were arrested at the Sanlitun area and later convicted of a drug related crime in China.

To be effective, the Chinese Government has the right to try, in a Court of Law, those citizens and foreigners that violate the law with impunity and seek their conviction for the drug related offense.

In this case, once the foreigners were rounded up, they would have the right to a judicial hearing regarding the allegation. If the foreigner is convicted for a drug related crime, he should serve their time in jail, then be immediately Deported from China to his country of origin.

The Deportation by the Chinese Government would say one thing loud and clear to those that choose to sell, possess or induce others to take drugs: “SAY NO TO DRUGS”.

By: DGE

DGE — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 04:27:11 +0000

While I agree with everything written, the one aspect no one seems to be talking about is the drug dealers relationship with the police. What I have heard many times over the years is that the drug dealers are run by the police, hence there ability to sell out in the open. And the reason they are all black is by design. They have an unwritten agreement with the police to sell the drugs but both sides know if something goes wrong the drug dealers will have to take the fall. The other part of the story is that historically in Beijing the diplomats were the ones running the drug trade. While I am not suggesting any of these diplomats are involved or suggesting that all of the people involved were drug dealers, there is historical background information that needs to included in the story.

By: Boss-man

Boss-man — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 19:51:28 +0000

I cant believe this! this is very racial and sad! the government should loook into this matter.Some chinese people tend to be very ignornt .. how are you going to beat up every black man thinkin his a drug dealer! am callin upon african heads of state and the greenadan government to look into this matter.Something must be done!

By: DS

DS — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 17:27:15 +0000

You are doing really great work. This is a great post. Having worked with many of the other great bloggers in Beijing in the last few years, I feel real regret that I have not met you. Keep up the super work!

By: Africa rulez

Africa rulez — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 04:12:53 +0000

Whenever I walk through Sanlitun, I am approached by Africans, may be Afro-Americans, offering drugs, typically every 50-100 m.

I have never been approached by a white or an Asian selling drugs in that area.

That is a fact.

Police brutality is thought to be a potent deterrent for criminals in this country, regardless if Chinese or foreign. Its the law of the land.

Drug dealers and petty criminals reflect very badly on the vast majority of fine individuals of African descent and it is up to fellow Africans to distance themselves and expose these bad apples.

By: Let's see those pics

Let's see those pics — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 11:27:59 +0000

If anyone who was there took photos/videos, but were made to delete them by the police, you know you can recover them through the use of software tools as long as you don’t format the memory card or take any new photos using the same card.

When photos are deleted, they don’t actually get physically erased from the memory card, they only get flagged as deleted and get overwritten when new photos are taken.

By: Er

Er — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:22:25 +0000

Some people better be careful for their behave in China. The China government takes drug dealing very serious. I know if one person carrying over 50 gram heroin gets caught, he could be sentenced to death.