GUANGZHOU: Eight people suspected of being involved in a clock and watch smuggling operation have been handed over to prosecutors, a senior customs official here has said.

Chen Jianwen, deputy director-general of Guangzhou customs, said the eight men from Foshan-based Weiye Clock and Watch Co, are accused of smuggling 170,000 clocks and 440,000 watches worth more than 240 million yuan ($35 million) from Hong Kong to the mainland between 2001 and October 2007.

Customs officials were made aware of the group's activities in January 2007 following a tip-off from the public. A task force was then set up to investigate the case, Chen said.