1.   And at the same time, the federal investigation into Chinese smuggling seems to be gaining momentum.

2.   Experts in Chinese smuggling say the kidnapping of Ms. Gao may be the latest in what has become a new type of crime afflicting Chinese immigrants.

3.   The perpetrators, according to some experts in Chinese smuggling, are a rising group of criminals, known in Chinese as dashou, or enforcers.

4.   There have been a string of Chinese smuggling boats intercepted off the coast of the United States and Mexico in recent months.