Mainland authorities arrest 28 suspected silver smugglers

Shenzhen authorities arrest 28 suspects on suspicion of smuggling 491 kilograms of silver into the mainland, involving more than 11 million yuan. The smuggling method includes using modified electric wheelchairs.

The 28 suspects are from two syndicates. According to CCTV, Shenzhen customs received intelligence about the suspected silver smuggling in 2025. Authorities say one of the syndicates operated as a family.

They stored the alloy in Macao and broke it into small pieces before asking smugglers to tape them to their bodies. Once the silver arrived in Shenzhen, the smugglers would sell it in the precious metals market.

Another group of syndicate, meanwhile, hired elderly posing as disabled individuals. The elderly smugglers were provided with modified electric wheelchairs to ride and to carry blocks of silver. Authorities were suspicious after spotting some elderly reappeared at the Futian Port pushing their wheelchairs 30 minutes later.

Mainland police later launched an operation, arresting 28 suspects in Shenzhen and Zhuhai.