By tf-lawyer.com On October 17, the Quanzhou Maritime Police Bureau in Fujian Province announced a significant breakthrough in their anti-smuggling efforts. They recently uncovered a case involving approximately 50 kilograms of gold, valued at about 30 million yuan, marking the first gold smuggling case seized by China’s maritime law enforcement agencies.
During a recent interview, a spokesperson from the Quanzhou Maritime Police Bureau detailed how authorities first detected suspicious smuggling activities in their jurisdiction. “We quickly verified and analyzed the leads we received,” the spokesperson explained. “Taking decisive action, we deployed law enforcement vessels to patrol the key maritime areas.”
This meticulous approach led them to identify a suspect vessel, which was then boarded for inspection. Upon investigation, law enforcement officers discovered woven bags hidden in a concealed compartment of the ship. The bags contained four rectangular metal blocks, and the crew were unable to provide legal documentation for the cargo, raising suspicions of smuggling.
“We were compelled to seize the vessel and the metal,” the spokesperson continued. After sending the metal for expert assessment, it was confirmed that the substance was indeed gold.
The spokesperson emphasized the broader implications of this operation. “If this smuggled gold had entered the illegal market, it could have disrupted normal financial order and affected the country’s macroeconomic regulation,” they noted. The bureau remains committed to maintaining a strong stance against maritime smuggling, pledging to enhance patrols and monitoring to ensure the security and stability of the waters in their jurisdiction.
As of now, the investigation is ongoing.
