Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Shenzhen Customs Anti-Smuggling Bureau announced on the 13th that it had recently cracked a major gold smuggling case at the airport passenger inspection channel, arresting 11 suspects and seizing 130 kilograms of suspected smuggled gold and its products, valued at 78 million yuan. This operation dismantled a smuggling network covering the entire chain from procurement in mainland China, customs clearance, to overseas sales.
Shenzhen Bao'an Airport Customs recently discovered that three passengers, Lou and Li, along with one another, had failed to declare nearly 400 pieces of gold jewelry, including bracelets and rings, weighing a total of 2.8 kilograms, in their carry-on and checked baggage during a baggage inspection of a Shenzhen-departing flight. This clearly exceeded the reasonable limit for personal use. When questioned, the three individuals gave contradictory and suspicious answers, prompting Customs to immediately report the case to the Airport Customs Anti-Smuggling Branch.
After anti-smuggling police intervened, they analyzed the types and quantities of the concealed gold jewelry and the deliberate dispersal of its locations. They concluded this was not an isolated incident but likely part of an organized smuggling operation. A special task force was established, and a gold smuggling ring based in Guangzhou was identified.
The investigation revealed that a group led by Huang and Fang arranged for personnel to purchase gold and its products from several jewelry companies in Shenzhen. These were then shipped via express courier to a freight forwarding and logistics company in Guangzhou operated by Peng's group. Peng then organized "mules" to smuggle the gold out of the country via cross-border flights, concealing it in luggage. The gold ultimately ended up in Huang's overseas gold shops for sale and profit.
Huang had a prior smuggling conviction, was very familiar with customs regulations, and possessed strong counter-surveillance awareness. Although he owned an authorized store for a domestic gold jewelry brand overseas and could purchase and process gold domestically at below-market prices, he lacked legal export qualifications. Therefore, he profited immensely through "self-buying and self-selling" and cross-border smuggling.
After a thorough investigation, the Shenzhen Customs Anti-Smuggling Bureau launched a coordinated operation. The operation involved 65 officers divided into eight teams, employing a multi-point, simultaneous arrest and search strategy. Arrests were conducted simultaneously in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, resulting in the capture of all 11 key suspects. (End)
