Shenzhen seizes 250 kg of endangered animal products

Customs officers from Shenzhen, southern Guangdong province, have seized nearly 250 kilograms of smuggled endangered animals and their products after cracking down 32 cases since the beginning of this year.

The smuggled products include ivory and ivory-made products, crocodile skin, sperm whale teeth and Nicaraguan parrot breeding eggs.

In one case, the customs seized 209 kilograms of smuggled endangered animals and their products, and arrested 10 suspects after carrying out anti-smuggling operation in several cities simultaneously.

"Smugglers are now adopting a more innovative ways," Dai Haifeng, an official from Shenzhen Customs, said at a press conference on Thursday.

"Previously, they would take the smuggled items across the border by themselves. Now, many of them ask parallel traders to carry the smuggled products for them or use delivery service to transport them," he said.

In response, the customs has vowed to step up efforts on cracking down on the illegal acts.

Dai said the customs has been cooperating with law enforcement departments in Hong Kong and African countries on information sharing.

"Also, we are working with other departments such as public security, immigration inspection, market supervision and postal service to create a whole chain for combating smuggling activities," he said.