Twelve people were charged yesterday for their involvement in
the largest car smuggling case in China's history, worth more than
210 million yuan (US$25.36 million).
The twelve, including three from Macao and two from Hong Kong,
are charged with smuggling 287 saloon cars into the Chinese
mainland between early 2001 and March 2004, and evading taxes of
more than 94.74 million yuan (US$11.44 million).
Foshan
Intermediate People's Court was told that the accused smuggled
Mercedes Benzes, BMWs, Audis, Hondas, Toyotas and other famous
brands into Guangdong
Province from the neighboring Hong Kong and Macao special
administrative regions.
They are also charged with causing the State to suffer huge
economic losses.
They could face serious punishment if found guilty, according to
a court official yesterday.
Officials in the province are determined to bring car smuggling
under control and the courts have been urged to treat cases
seriously.
Smuggled cars and spare parts, which make nice profits for those
willing to indulge in the practice, have become widespread in parts
of the prosperous Guangdong Province bordering Hong Kong and
Macao.
The cars were smuggled overland, and on fishing vessels through
Guangdong waters.
It is alleged that the accused used fake license plates to bring
the cars into Guangdong and then sold them around the country.
(China Daily July 8, 2005)