China News Online, July 21st (Reporter Yin Liqin, Correspondent Li Dan) Recently, the Shanghai Maritime Police Bureau has successively seized 4 suspected coal smuggling cases and 1 suspected refined oil smuggling case, and seized 32,000 tons of coal and 500 diesel. Tons, 26 suspects were arrested, and the amount involved was as high as 20 million yuan.

　　On July 11 and 12, the Shanghai Maritime Police Department dispatched patrol vessels to a certain water area of ​​the Yangtze River estuary for investigation based on clues. After arriving at the target location, law enforcement officers found the suspicious ship through observation and quickly called for it to stop for inspection. After investigation, there were 4 crew members on each of the two ships, with 8,000 tons and 8,200 tons of coal respectively loaded on the ships. The crew members were unable to provide ship certificates and cargo documents and were suspected of smuggling coal.

The law enforcement ship found a suspicious ship. Photo courtesy of Shanghai Maritime Police

　　Another patrol vessel of the Shanghai Maritime Police Bureau seized three suspected smuggling ships in the afternoon of the 15th, the afternoon of the 16th, and the afternoon of the 17th. The ships contained 4,000 tons, 11,000 tons of coal and 500 tons of diesel. According to law enforcement officers, during a patrol on the 15th, black powder was found on both sides of a ship that had broken down, which was suspected of being loaded with coal. The ropes on the ship were deliberately folded and then hung out. The behavior of deliberately covering the hull number was very suspicious. When it was found that the anchored ship did not activate AIS, law enforcement officials immediately decided to board and inspect it. After investigation, it was found that the 4000 tons of coal on board could not be provided with legal procedures and was suspected of smuggling.

The suspect identified the diesel involved in the case. Photo courtesy of Shanghai Maritime Police

　　The next day, when the ship was patrolling the waters of the Yangtze Estuary, it was found that the ship's hull number did not match the AIS. The patrol ship sounded its siren and asked it to stop for inspection. After investigation, there are multiple AIS equipment on board, one of which matches the ship number, but it is not turned on normally. There were 7 crew members on board, and 11,000 tons of coal was loaded in the cargo hold. The cargo was suspected of smuggling because it was unable to provide cargo-related procedures.

Law enforcement officers boarded to inspect the cockpit. Photo courtesy of Shanghai Maritime Police

　　On the afternoon of the 17th, an approaching ship that broke down in the waters of the Yangtze River estuary suddenly lifted anchor and sailed away after seeing the patrol ship, which aroused the attention of law enforcement officials. The law enforcement officials rushed to ask the ship to stop for inspection. On the day of high winds and stern waves, the patrol ship pursued the Sheshan Island waters and successfully boarded and controlled it. After inspection, the ship was a converted oil tanker, with 6 crew members on board, and about 500 tons of diesel oil in the tank, unable to provide legal procedures, suspected of smuggling.

　　At present, the Shanghai Maritime Police Bureau has detained the ships involved in the case, 26 suspects involved in the case have been criminally detained, and 5 cases are under further investigation. (Finish)