China, US take down arms-trafficking gang   

中美联手成功破获特大跨国走私武器弹药案

记者11日从中国公安部获悉，近日中美执法部门联手破获特大跨国走私武器弹药案，在中国抓获犯罪嫌疑人23名，缴获各类枪支93支、子弹5万余发及大量枪支配件。在美国抓获犯罪嫌疑人3名，缴获各类枪支12支。

Beijing (CNS) -- Chinese and US law enforcement authorities cooperated to bring down a gang of trans-border arms and ammunition smugglers, including 23 Chinese and three American suspects, revealed the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) on Monday.

The Chinese side confiscated 93 firearms, over 50,000 bullets and a large quantity of gun parts, the ministry said.

The gang's mastermind, US National Guard Staff Sergeant Joe Debose, was arrested on May 20 with 12 firearms ready to be taken to China. Chinese citizens Lin Zhifu and Li Lilian, both in their 20s, were also arrested in the U.S.

Shanghai Pudong Airport customs discovered firearms and components packaged as imported loudspeakers on August 25, 2011, causing the MPS to launch an investigation.

Authorities from the two countries began negotiating to cooperate on the case in January.