The 84th Mekong River joint patrol led by China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand started on Tuesday from Guanlei Port in southwest China's Yunnan Province, Xinhua reported.

Seven vessels participated in the patrol which will involve inspections, a crackdown on drug crime and an anti-drug publicity campaign, according to China’s provincial public security department.

The mission will cover key waters including the "Golden Triangle," an area notorious for drug production.