Chinese police have captured 16 suspects who allegedly attempted
to smuggle 1.05 tons of silver and silver products valued at 3.5
million yuan (US$437,500) in Shenzhen, neighboring Hong Kong.
It is the largest silver-smuggling case cracked by the Shenzhen
Customs over recent years, a spokesman with the Anti-smuggling
Bureau of Shenzhen Customs said on Monday.
Acting on a tip off, more than 80 police officers raided three
hideouts of the suspected smugglers in Shenzhen's Bao'an and
Nanshan districts and Guangzhou's Panyu District in the afternoon
of June 20, the spokesman said.
Police seized 1.05 tons of silver and silver products, such as
silver beads and plates, and confiscated 11 vehicles during the
operation which lasted till the wee hours of June 21, he said.
The gang has been smuggling silver between Shenzhen and Hong
Kong for a long period of time, he said.
The case is being further investigated.
(Xinhua News Agency June 25, 2007)