Alleged smuggling kingpin Lai Changxing has been repatriated back to China, 12 years after being on the run in Canada. Chinese police announced his arrest, and read him his rights, including hiring lawyers to defend him, at Beijing Capital International Airport.

53-year-old Lai is the chief suspect in a multi-billion-dollar smuggling operation dating back to the 1990s in the southeastern city of Xiamen. His extradition marks a key breakthrough in Sino-Canadian law enforcement cooperation. The Chinese government has attached great importance to Lai's extradition in recent years.

China's anti-smuggling agency is conducting further investigations into Lai's case. The case will be referred to judicial organs after the investigation is concluded.