Canada denies refugee status to Chinese smuggling suspect
( 2002-06-22 14:14 ) (8 )

Chinese smuggling suspect Lai Changxing, wanted in China for running a multibillion-dollar smuggling ring, was denied refugee status and taken into custody Friday by Canadian immigration authorities.

A two-person Immigration and Refugee Board panel in its 294-page decision, found that Lai and his wife Tsang Mingna were "not credible and that there were serious reasons for considering Lai had committed the crimes of smuggling and bribery."

The couple were behind a network responsible for smuggling 10 billion dollar worth of goods in collaboration with corrupt officials. The Lais and their company were accused by Chinese judicial authorties of smuggling cigarettes, heating and cooking oil, textiles, chemicals and other raw materials into China via Hong Kong.

Lai, Tsang and their children fled to Canada in August 1999. The couple made a refugee claim in June 2000.