Heroines at the border

An all-female team in Yunnan tackles transnational drug trafficking with resilience and unique insights, ensuring safer communities and stronger border security.

Growing up in Anhui, a peaceful province in East China, Lu Yao (pseudonym) had little exposure to the harsh realities of drug-related crimes in Southwest Yunnan, where trafficking thrives due to its long border with Myanmar, a hot spot for transnational drug activity.

However, during her years at China People's Police University, Lu became fascinated by anti-drug cases and chose this topic for her graduation thesis.

After earning her degree in border inspection, she made a bold decision to leave behind a stable job in her hometown and join the border management unit in Mangshi, located in Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture, Yunnan.

"People like my parents and my sister have never encountered drugs. For them, crime is limited to things like petty theft or traffic accidents. But here, we conduct drug busts involving hundreds of kilograms at a time, and every operation requires us to carry firearms," explained the 37-year-old. "It's a reality that civilians like my parents could never imagine."

What makes Lu's team unique is that it is made up entirely of women. Currently, the all-female investigation team consists of eight members.

Since its founding in 2015, the team has handled over 240 drug cases, dealt with more than 300 cross-border security violations, arrested over 800 suspects, and seized more than 1,000 kilograms of illicit drugs.

Their efforts have earned numerous honors, including the "March 8 red-banner collective" title this year.

The team was founded in response to the growing number of drug trafficking cases involving pregnant women and underage girls, many of whom were coerced into the illegal trade.

According to Sun Lili (pseudonym), a 37-year-old member who joined in 2017, female investigators bring a distinct advantage when interacting with female suspects.

"Because of our shared gender identity, we can address maternal concerns with pregnant suspects or discuss childcare responsibilities, making it easier to connect and break emotional barriers with them," she explained.

While drug investigations are often seen as requiring physical strength — an area where men tend to dominate — much of the work involves tasks such as close observation, intelligence gathering, suspect interrogation, and operation planning. According to Pan Yali (pseudonym), a 39-year-old investigator, women excel in these areas.

"Suspects are usually highly alert, but they tend to let their guard down when facing a woman, making them more approachable," she said.

This is why a significant portion of the team's work takes place behind the scenes, with members often going undercover as hotel receptionists, nurses, supermarket cashiers, street vendors, or even drug users to gain close contact with criminals.

Pan emphasizes the importance of mental toughness in this line of work.

"We're human too, and we get scared," she said. "But I know the suspects must be more nervous than I am because they're in the wrong, and I'm in the right. The law is my backbone."

Invisible strength

In addition to emotional resilience, the team is meticulous, especially during body searches.

"Drugs can be hidden in the most unexpected places — like the soles of shoes, hairpins, or even ear studs, which suspects might swallow when we aren't looking," Lu explained. "Every detail matters. Missing something small can mean the difference between success and failure."

The team's adaptability goes beyond undercover operations to managing physically demanding conditions and grueling schedules. A single interrogation session can take at least three hours, and surveillance in thick forests may stretch for days, with the team battling mosquitoes and sometimes freezing temperatures at night.

"We're on duty 24/7, so whenever the phone rings, we must respond immediately. Criminals don't follow a 9-to-5 schedule," said Sun.

Cases often peak during holidays and weekends. Sun remembers one Spring Festival eve when, after finishing her shift late and just arriving home in the early morning, she got a call and had to rush back to the unit to interrogate a suspect.

For these women, however, the satisfaction of putting criminals behind bars is unparalleled.

"The moment we get the verdict for a suspect, we're proud that the criminal has received the punishment they deserve, and that our work hasn't been in vain," said team leader Xian Shasha (pseudonym), 32.

But their commitment extends beyond investigations and arrests — they also play a key role in legal education.

"When I first started handling cases, I was shocked by how little people knew about the law. Some suspects didn't even realize they were committing a crime when they agreed to carry drugs for dealers," said Yang Xuejiao (pseudonym), a 37-year-old team member.

"Raising public awareness of the law is crucial. Educating individuals and families about the legal consequences can help prevent such situations from happening in the first place," she added.

According to Xian, they have seen a decrease in drug-related offenses in recent years, attributing this success to the team's legal awareness campaigns.

These women are deeply fulfilled by their work, knowing they are keeping people safe.

"We stand guard at the borders of our country so that people like my parents can live peaceful, secure lives," said Lu. "They may never see the darker sides of society, but that's exactly how it should be — making sure they never have to face fear or danger is our greatest success."