Beijing court sentences man for smuggling animal products

A man was recently sentenced to three years and three months and fined 100,000 yuan ($14,046) by a Beijing court for smuggling precious animal products.

The convicted man was discovered to have brought large quantities of dried seahorses and shark fins for consumption on his return after working abroad, according to the Beijing No 4 Intermediate People's Court.

Before he went abroad, his employer had told him what items were forbidden to bring home, and when he was ready to return, his colleagues also reminded him through WeChat, the court said.

However, the man still slipped in more than 300 dried seashores and over 20 shark fins into his suitcase to take home, it said.

After going through the products, it was found that they were made from four species of endangered wild animals, worth more than 400,000 yuan, it added.

The court told travelers or migrant workers to be more careful while purchasing or bringing back animal products to China and to strictly abide by laws, protect wildlife and avoid unnecessary trouble.