Public security authorities in Beijing and central China's Henan Province have cracked a criminal ring suspected of producing fake and inferior SARS protective suits, according to the Ministry of Public Security.
Five suspects have been detained so far and 11,000 inferior quality suits have been confiscated. Authorities are attempting to track down suits already in circulation.
On April 27, a Beijing-based hospital discovered defects in newly purchased SARS protective suits from Henan Province.
A criminal investigation was launched on April 29 in Changyuan County of Henan Province.
(Xinhua News Agency May 4, 2003)