KUNMING - A new round of joint patrols on the Mekong River with law enforcers from China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, started Tuesday.

Ten ships with more than 160 law enforcers participated in the 70th mission. The ships set sail from Guanlei Port in Xishuangbanna, Southwest China's Yunnan province.

The patrol will target drug trafficking along the Mekong River. Law enforcers will conduct random inspection of ships in waters near some sensitive regions including the Golden Triangle.

The joint patrols started in 2011 to tackle safety concerns over shipping on the Mekong River.