Guests held in 'yacht wedding' sting

Guests who headed for a lavish wedding on a yacht in the United States got more than they bargained for when they were all arrested en route, courtesy of an elaborate FBI sting.

Some 59 suspected members of an international smuggling ring were arrested after responding to invitations to the nuptials of two undercover agents.

“Invitations were sent out, a date was given and RSVPs were received from different points around the world,” said prosecutor Chris Christie.

One guest even took a pair of gold Presidential Rolex watches as a gift.

They were told transport would be provided to the yacht moored off the New Jersey coast in Atlantic City, but were taken into custody instead.

Several appeared in court still dressed in their wedding finest, according to officials.

The FBI said it had spent four years investigating the alleged crime syndicate suspected of smuggling cigarettes, weapons, Ecstasy, false money and counterfeit Viagra into the US.

The would-be husband and wife had infiltrated the alleged Asia-based gang and pretended to be romantically involved.

Their wedding was designed to tempt alleged members to the US from abroad so they could be arrested and charged.

Most of the suspected ringleaders were arrested at the weekend in 11 cities across the US and Canada. Many of those were on their way to the wedding, called for 2pm on Sunday and dubbed Operation Royal Charm.

Police seized goods worth millions of dollars that arrived in ports in Los Angeles and Newark, New Jersey. The counterfeit material is believed to have been made in countries including China, North Korea.

“This was a one-stop shopping criminal organisation that had the will and the means to smuggle virtually every form of contraband imaginable,” said John Clark, of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“For those reasons alone, the organisation posed a serious homeland security threat that we are happy to close down.”