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Cross-border cigarette smuggling ring on trial in China

Xinhua, May 11, 2015 Adjust font size:

Nine Chinese nationals stood trial in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on charges of smuggling, tax evasion and illegal trading.

The suspects allegedly smuggled nearly 30 million packets of cigarettes, with an estimated tax evasion of around 415 million yuan (about 67 million U.S. dollars), according to the Intermediate People's Court of Fangchenggang City.

The suspects purchased cigarettes in Vietnam, smuggled them into China through the border city of Dongxing and transported them to Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, between February and October 2013, said the court.

It is not known when the court will issue its verdict.

"The case shows the country's determination to intensify crackdown on cigarette smuggling and illegal trading," said a member of the prosecution.

In recent years, China, the world's largest tobacco maker and consumer, has taken measures to cut down on the number of smokers, including raising consumption tax on cigarettes at the wholesale level, and banning tobacco advertising on mass media, in public places, public vehicles and outdoors. Endi