China seizes large quantities of cigarettes in 100-mln-yuan smuggling cases

BEIJING -- The China Coast Guard has seized large quantities of cigarettes worth more than 100 million yuan (nearly $15 million) in total, in two major suspected smuggling cases.

In a Sept 25 operation, local maritime police seized a ship and arrested six people on Oujiang River in Wenzhou City, East China's Zhejiang province, the authority said. The seized cigarettes in the case were worth 50 million yuan.

That came after similar action was taken by maritime police in the sea off Zhuhai Jinwan Airport in South China's Guangdong province on Sept 9. The action led to a ship seized and 11 people arrested. The seized cigarettes in the case were worth 60 million yuan.

The two cases remain under investigation, according to the China Coast Guard, which has vowed to step up its patrol of key waters and related investigations to crack down on illegal and criminal maritime activities, and ensure the security and stability of the waters under its jurisdiction.