A gang suspected of people smuggling has been apprehended by the coast guard in south China's Guangdong Province.

In an operation launched on Sept. 29, the Guangdong coast guard, in collaboration with local police, cracked a case involving the alleged smuggling of people using boats.

So far, 12 people involved in the case have been detained, including five suspected smugglers, with one vehicle and two speedboats impounded.

An investigation into the case began in late July when the coast guard received information about the gang, which had been active in Guangdong and Hong Kong, smuggling people across the border using speedboats.

Two maritime smuggling routes were cut off as part of the operation.