Police in Chinese mainland have busted a drug-trafficking organization responsible for smuggling large amounts of narcotics into the country, according to South China Morning Post. The criminal syndicate was run by a Hong Kong drug lord, who allegedly ran an 'all-inclusive deal' – including transfer to China, storage and distribution.
A total of nine suspects, including five Hong Kong residents, were arrested for bringing 400.5 kilograms of cocaine into Guangdong province – the largest bust in recent years, according to Deng Jianwei, director of the Guangdong Department of Public Security’s drug enforcement unit.
The drugs were being kept in two Shenzhen apartments – 140.2 kilograms in one flat and 260.3 kilograms in another. According to reports, Guangdong is not believed to have been the drug’s final destination.
All nine individuals, including a Vietnamese suspect arrested in Ho Chi Minh City, could face the death penalty.
“Hong Kong and Taiwan residents have been key members of major cross-border drug gangs involved in significant cases busted in Guangdong in recent years,” according to Deng.
The cocaine originated in South America and is estimated to be worth a staggering HKD600 million (over RMB500 million) according to South China Morning Post. This bust was the result of a tip-off received by Shenzhen police last month, who coordinated with the Ministry of Public Security’s narcotics unit and the Guangdong Public Safety Bureau.
The last comparable cocaine bust happened in June 2008, when the Guangzhou Public Security Bureau seized 530 kilograms of cocaine worth an estimated RMB500 million.
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[Image via SCMP]
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