China coast guard cracks major oil smuggling case

FUZHOU -- Coast guard in the city of Fuzhou, East China's Fujian province, has arrested 10 suspects in a smuggling case involving around 5,500 tonnes of refined oil worth 25 million yuan (about $3.81 million), local authorities said Tuesday.

The coast guard in Fuzhou launched an investigation after receiving a tip-off in early August about a group of people smuggling refined oil near the coasts of provinces including Guangdong, Fujian and Zhejiang.

On Nov 7, the coast guard sent task forces to bust the ring and seized about 1,000 tonnes of refined oil, an oil tanker and an oil depot.

Investigation revealed that the ring usually purchased a small amount of refined oil legally at ports in Guangdong and Zhejiang and deactivated the positioning system of the ship after it entered open waters. This way they smuggled refined oil along the coast of Fuzhou for sale.

Further investigation is underway.