Shenzhen Customs had broken up a large international drug smuggling ring, seizing 21.75 kilograms of drugs, worth more than 400,000 yuan (US$48,000), the Daily Sunshine reported Thursday.

The anti-smuggling bureau under the customs arrested 11 suspects. Shenzhen Customs launched a campaign to combat cross-border drug smuggling with Hong Kong Customs in April this year.

The smuggling ring, known in smuggling circles as "seadog" was discovered during investigations of another international drug smuggling ring.

A man from Hong Kong surnamed Chen was identified as one of the key figures in the group.

Officials of the bureau discovered Chen had two apartments in Shenzhen, one of which was used to keep birds as a cover.

On July 30, the task force was informed of a drug deal by Chen. Chen and another man surnamed Li were caught at the Huanggang Checkpoint, one carrying 351 grams and the other 142.6 grams of heroin. Meanwhile, two Africans were discovered controlling the smuggling group from behind the scene.

The two Africans were caught in August, and the customs seized a total of 21.75 kg of drug in Chen's bird room, including 15.1 kg of heroin. Drug smuggled by the ring accounted for a quarter of the drug market in Hong Kong, the Shenzhen Customs said.

Shenzhen Customs had solved 143 drug smuggling cases since 1999 and captured 164 smugglers.

(Shenzhen Daily December 10, 2004)