China seizes 804kg of ivory

Chinese authorities reportedly seized 804kg of ivory along with rhino horns and bear paws and arrested 16 suspects.

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Beijing - Chinese state media say authorities have seized hundreds of kilograms of ivory along with rhino horns and bear paws and arrested 16 suspected members of a smuggling ring.

The People’s Daily online said that police in Beijing on Monday announced the seizure of 804 kilograms of ivory, 11 kilograms of rhino horns and 35 bear paws in a haul worth 24 million yuan ($3.8 million).

This was the result of a crackdown from May to August on the illegal purchase, selling and transport of wildlife products.

The article cited a news conference in Beijing by forest police, who investigate crimes involving wildlife.

The 16 suspects were arrested by forest police in Beijing, Hebei, Guangdong and Shandong, among other places.

A media officer at Beijing Forest Police confirmed the news conference.

AP