Police crush US$130m smuggling operation

ALMATY (AP):

Police in Kazakhstan say they have uncovered a $130 million (€87.96 million) smuggling operation and issued arrest warrants for security and customs officials suspected of involvement.

Economic crimes agency spokesman Murat Zhumanbai said yesterday that a criminal gang of 100 people has been illegally importing goods from China into Kazakhstan over the past five years.

The border crossing point was the Kazakh-Chinese Khorgos post, which Kazakh authorities hope will eventually serve as the entry point for a vast array of goods destined for overland transportation to Europe.

Zhumanbai says arrest warrants have been granted for 16 suspects, including the Khorgos customs post chief and the deputy head of the regional branch of the security services.