Russians, Chinese Fined for Smuggling Bears' Paws
Date: 10-Sep-07
Country: CHINA
A court in Hulun Buir, Inner Mongolia, heard this week that
the ringleader, 30-year-old Zhou Xinquan, ordered the paws from
his contacts in Zabaikalsk City in Chita, Siberia.
He arranged for two Russian train drivers to smuggle the
rare animal parts to the border city of Manzhouli, Inner
Mongolia, the agency said.
Zhou and a Chinese accomplice were arrested while attempting
to collect the paws in February. Zhou was fined 70,000 yuan and
given a three-year suspended jail sentence, while his accomplice
received a one-year suspended sentence and fine of 40,000 yuan.
The Russians, who were detained two days later, were fined
80,000 yuan and deported.
Officials said the 35 bears' paws were worth 180,000 yuan
(US$23,880).
(US$1=7.536 Yuan)
