Chinese vendors sell pork and other meat products at their stalls in a market in Kunming, capital of Southwest China's Yunnan Province in June. (Photo: IC)

 The Zhanjiang Customs in southern China's Guangdong Province said on Tuesday that they have detained 41 suspects for smuggling frozen meat worth 24 million yuan ($3.4 million).

Zhanjiang Customs found that three gangs have been collaborating to smuggle frozen goods to China with unregistered ships since October.

A joint operation was launched by Zhanjiang Customs, Jiangmen Customs and local coast guard in late November. A total of 41 suspects were caught and over 40 tonnes of frozen beef and ox tripe were seized on the spot. Three ships and a large quantity of evidence were also confiscated.

Investigation showed that the groups have smuggled a total of 400 tonnes of frozen goods worth 24 million yuan since October.

Further investigation is underway.

Since Zhanjiang Customs launched a special operation against frozen goods smuggling in October, nine cases have been busted, with a total of 941 tonnes of frozen goods having been seized.