Diesel-smuggling trial opens
( 2003-11-04 17:11) (China Daily)
The trial of "the biggest diesel-oil smuggling case since the establishment
of the People's Republic of China" opened at the Guangzhou Intermediate People's
Court yesterday, reports Southern Metropolis News.
Zheng Hongjun, kingpin of the family-run smuggling racket based in the Panyu
District, smuggled more than 54 million tons of "red oil" and one ton of cooking
oil from Hong Kong, causing tariff losses of some 350 million yuan (US$42.290)
to the mainland since 1998, according to the prosecution. "Red oil", or marked
oil, is duty-free diesel in Hong Kong dyed red to distinguish it from taxable
oil.
Zheng had the oil smuggled via 80-some fishing boats, each transporting no
more than 80 tons every time - smugglers caught with less than 80 tons of oil
are fined rather than indicted in accordance with Chinese law.
Zheng, a former low-ranking tax officer, began his smuggling career with
seafood but switched to oil after realizing it was much more profitable,
according to the newspaper.
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