$33m cash uncovered in Chinese official’s house

Chinese Authorities have found 200 million Yuan ($33m) in the home of an energy official, news reports said on Saturday.

The Supreme People’s Procuratorate Anti-Corruption Bureau’s Chief, Xu Jinhui told newsmen.

According to the bureau, it is the country’s largest-ever cash seizure.

The money was unearthed at the home of coal bureau Deputy Chief, Wei Pengyuan, in a probe first revealed in May.

“If denominated in 100-yuan notes, it would pile 200 metres high and weigh more than three tonnes.

“There are some hidden rules among these people that do things after receiving money. They do not even need to speak about it; they accept bribery together in a chain over the long term,’’ Xu said.

He said four of the 16 cash-counting machines brought in to tally the notes broke down under the task.

“Wei is one of 11 National Energy Administration employees under investigation for alleged corruption. Six may have each received over tens of millions of Yuan in bribes,” Xu said.

China has initiated a high-profile campaign against corruption, considered endemic among the country’s many levels of officialdom.