In 2017, Shanghai Customs seized 3.1 tons of pangolin scales in containers for imported timber. A total of 101 bags, a total of 3110.05 kg. The pangolins are national second-class protected wild animals. However, the two involved personnel sandwiched the pangolin scales in the timber-loaded containers and declared the imports to the customs in the name of timber.

In February 2018, CBCGDF sent a letter to Shanghai Customs to apply for the smuggling case involving the specific source and handling of the pangolin scales, as well as the criminal transfer of the case.

In April 2018, Shanghai Customs stated in the letter of reply that according to Article 2 of the “Regulations on Open Government Information of the People’s Republic of China”, the information required by CBCGDF is criminal case information and does not belong to government information that should be allowed to be disclosed.

Recently, the Third Intermediate People’s Court of Shanghai concluded the crime of smuggling precious animal products and sentenced the two defendants to constitute the crime of smuggling precious animal products. The defendant Zhu was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment, a fine of 500,000 yuan and the defendant Xu was sentenced to a five-year imprisonment, a find of 50,000 yuan for committing crimes of smuggling precious animal products.

CBCGDF will continue to track the source and destination of the batch of pangolin scales.

(Photo source: Internet)