The trial of China's biggest diesel oil smuggling case since 1949 opened in Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court on Monday.

A group of people in the Pearl River Delta region allegedly smuggled 1.4 billion yuan (US$169 million) worth of diesel oil and edible oil from Hong Kong and evaded 350 million yuan (US$42.34) in taxes during late 1998 and 2002.

On the first day of the one-month trial, 36 of the total 84 defendants appeared in court, including Zheng Hongjun, alleged leader of the group.

The group, controlled by Zheng and his relatives, had more than 80 vessels and its own oil warehouse. They allegedly smuggled tons of diesel oil into Panyu, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, Dongguan, Shunde and almost every city of the delta daily. Zheng's group also allegedly cooperated with five other smuggling gangs by providing funds and information in exchange for shares in their profits.

Nicknamed "Ah Qi," 38-year-old Zheng was born to a fishing family. He worked eight years for the tax office in his hometown until he met a Hong Kong man smuggling seafood into Hong Kong in 1989.

His group allegedly employed several hundred people in its prime. His vessels allegedly smuggled less than 80 tons of diesel oil each time, so that even if caught by Customs police, the offense would not be defined as a serious crime.

(Shenzhen Daily November 4, 2003)