Twelve people were charged yesterday for their involvement in the largest car smuggling case in China's history, worth more than 210 million yuan (US$25.36 million).

The twelve, including three from Macao and two from Hong Kong, are charged with smuggling 287 saloon cars into the Chinese mainland between early 2001 and March 2004, and evading taxes of more than 94.74 million yuan (US$11.44 million).

Foshan Intermediate People's Court was told that the accused smuggled Mercedes Benzes, BMWs, Audis, Hondas, Toyotas and other famous brands into Guangdong Province from the neighboring Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

They are also charged with causing the State to suffer huge economic losses.

They could face serious punishment if found guilty, according to a court official yesterday.

Officials in the province are determined to bring car smuggling under control and the courts have been urged to treat cases seriously.

Smuggled cars and spare parts, which make nice profits for those willing to indulge in the practice, have become widespread in parts of the prosperous Guangdong Province bordering Hong Kong and Macao.

The cars were smuggled overland, and on fishing vessels through Guangdong waters.

It is alleged that the accused used fake license plates to bring the cars into Guangdong and then sold them around the country.

(China Daily July 8, 2005)