Hanover (Germany), Aug 17 (DPA) A Chinese people-trafficking gang is thought to have smuggled more than 1,000 compatriots into Germany over the years to work as chefs, criminal investigators here reported Monday.

Hanover, state prosecutors said they were investigating on charges of people trafficking and exploitation, after 1,300 police and customs officers had uncovered evidence spanning four German states.

Raids were carried out at lunchtime in 180 Chinese restaurants and apartments, in the states of Lower Saxony, Bavaria, Baden-Wuerttemberg and North-Rhine Westphalia.

Back in March, police had arrested two Chinese men and a woman in Hanover. The trio had founded a firm to orchestrate their smuggling activities, according to criminal investigations.

The three Chinese held in custody, aged 46, 38 and 35, are thought to be the chief operators in the trafficking ring.

'They made sure all the forms were correct,' said spokesman for Hanover state Office of Criminal Investigation, Frank Federau.