Two suspects in border-crossing network brought back to China

Two suspects accused of organizing others to illegally cross borders have been captured overseas and repatriated to China, the National Immigration Administration said Monday.

The suspects, identified by their surnames Zhang and Yong, had long been hiding abroad and were allegedly involved in organizing Chinese citizens to illegally cross borders, according to the administration.

The case was first discovered in July 2023 by the exit-entry administration department in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province. Investigators found that a criminal gang led by Zhang and Yong had been operating overseas for an extended period.

Further investigation showed that since 2022, the two suspects had directed criminal activities remotely from abroad and organized multiple Chinese citizens to travel overseas illegally to engage in unlawful activities.

The NIA listed the case for direct supervision and worked through bilateral law enforcement cooperation channels to pursue the suspects. The two were recently captured and repatriated to China. The case remains under further investigation.

An official with the NIA said several suspects who had long fled overseas and were involved in organizing illegal border crossings have recently been extradited or repatriated to China by law enforcement authorities in several countries, underscoring China's determination and effectiveness in cracking down on cross-border crimes.

The administration said it will work with relevant departments to further deepen international law enforcement cooperation, maintain a zero-tolerance approach toward cross-border criminal gangs, thoroughly investigate criminal networks and cut off their profit chains.

The official also warned that overseas locations are not beyond the reach of the law, and that those who commit cross-border crimes will be severely punished.

Last week, a fugitive suspect surnamed Cai, accused of organizing people to illegally cross borders, was extradited to China. The case was also uncovered by police in Jiangsu. Investigators found that Cai and others had colluded with human smugglers at home and abroad to facilitate the illegal border crossings of several Chinese citizens for unlawful activities overseas.