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)