Marine public safety."

Domestic and international Law-enforcement agencies can work to advance public safety."

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"The positive results of this investigation show how partnership between law-enforcement agencies, both domestic and international, can work to advance public safety."

people in Ontario and British Columbia who were part of a smuggling operation that brought counterfeit cigarettes and drug-making materials from Asia to Canada.

Authorities make eight arrests in Asian smuggling ring     Postmedia News November 1, 2011 6:12 AM     


    After a two-year investigation authorities say they have arrested eight people in Ontario and British Columbia who were part of a smuggling operation that brought counterfeit cigarettes and drug-making materials from Asia to Canada. RCMP announced the arrests Tuesday, adding they are looking for two more people, for whom warrants have been issued. Photograph by: File photo, Bloomberg News After a two-year investigation authorities say they have arrested eight people in Ontario and British Columbia who were part of a smuggling operation that brought counterfeit cigarettes and drug-making materials from Asia to Canada.



RCMP announced the arrests Tuesday, adding they are looking for two more people, for whom warrants have been issued.



"The excellent outcome of this investigation clearly demonstrates that the (Canada Border Service Agency) takes its border-protection responsibilities very seriously," said Goran Vragovic, a regional director general for the agency, in a news release.



"The positive results of this investigation show how partnership between law-enforcement agencies, both domestic and international, can work to advance public safety."



Police said the investigation began in 2009, when the border service agency intercepted a container at the Port of Vancouver that contained unstamped and counterfeit cigarettes destined for Toronto.



Over the next two years, officers from that agency and the RCMP, working with authorities from China, seized 11 sea containers, seven in Vancouver and four in Toronto.



As a result, authorities seized 583,600 cartons of cigarettes and 6,270 kilograms of P2P, a key ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamines and amphetamines.



Last week, a series of arrests were made in B.C. and Ontario, the RCMP said in a statement.



The following people have been charged:



- Ze Hua Liao, 43, of Niagara Falls, Ont., who faces the most charges in the group, a total of 58, including making false or deceptive statements, smuggling goods, and conspiracy to unlawfully import a controlled substance.



- Qiang Zhou, 34, of Markham, Ont.;



- Hui Shen, 44, of Mississauga, Ont.;



- Wei Shen, 43, of Niagara Falls, Ont.;



- Genlian Liu, 40, a Chinese national from Kettleby, Ont.;



- Minh Boo Lam, 51, of Maple, Ont.;



- Yun Sun, 44, of Markham, Ont.;



- Chi Wai Chan, 46, of Burnaby, B.C.;



The eight accused are scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 30 in Toronto.



Arrest warrants have also been issued for Zhi Xiong Huang, 32, a Chinese national from Vancouver and Shuting (Charlize) Lin, 36, of Vancouver.

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