Guangdong Province in south China, which is adjacent to Hong Kong, disclosed that the efforts of its unified anti-smuggling drive last year helped save some 3.3 billion yuan (US$397 million).
The province's customs, anti-smuggling and public security police launched a coordinated crackdown on smuggling through the region. The move foiled 10,400 smuggling attempts and resulted in the arrests of 1,383 suspects, among whom 769 were given prison sentences.
Guangdong has a long stretch of coastline, which causes difficulties for coastguard surveillance. The supervision of sailing vessels has been intensified, and sea patrols have been stepped up.
(Xinhua 02/19/2001)
