HK seizes massive haul of smuggled pangolin scales  

Some of the 3.3 tons of pangolin scales seized. [Photo/Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department]

The pangolin scales seized. [Photo/Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department]

Hong Kong (CNS) – More than 3.3 tons of pangolin scales worth HK$17 million have been found in two shipping containers that arrived in Hong Kong from Africa.

It's the biggest seizure of its kind in five years, a customs spokesperson said on Monday.

The two batches of pangolin scales were not declared on the manifests, a customs officer said.

One ton of scales were found via scanner in a container officially containing plastic waste from Kenya. Another 2.34 tons were found in a container from Cameroon, ostensibly carrying timber, the officer said.

The two hauls are believed to have come from the same smuggling group and were bound for Southeast Asia, where prices on the black market have soared to HK$5,000 per kilogram.

Pangolins, which are under second-class state protection in China, are often smuggled because their meat is a delicacy and their scales are believed to have medical qualities.