An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 1, 2024 shows the scenery at the Furong river wetland in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province.

 
The Coastal Police Corps of Hainan Provincial Public Security Department on Monday announced the investigation of a major case of smuggling precious animals and prohibited import and export goods from Southeast Asia to South China's Hainan Province, in which 24 main members from a criminal gang were apprehended.  

The head of the police corps said that to date, the special task force has arrested 24 suspects, sealed off three frozen warehouses, seized approximately 0.81 tons of meat of the national first and second level protected animal giant clam and dried scallops (frozen), 0.066 tons of national first level protected animal sea turtle limbs, 236 humphead wrasse, as well as more than eight tons of various frozen and dried fish, shrimp, sea cucumber, sea dragon, shark fins, and other seafood, over 160,000 yuan ($22,081) in cash, three vehicles, 25 mobile phones, and other tools used in criminal activity. 

The corps have also seized two fishing boats, frozen more than 210,000 yuan of funds related to the case, with a total amount involved exceeding 30 million yuan. 

The main members of the criminal gang have all been apprehended. At the same time, in conjunction with the smuggling of the above-mentioned national protected animals, and other precious animals and products flowing into multiple shops in Qionghai city for sale, the special task force conducted joint anti-smuggling inspections with the Qionghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, inspecting multiple shops in the city and simultaneously conducting anti-smuggling legal propaganda to effectively deter illegal activities such as smuggling precious animals. 

On December 26, 2023, the case was transferred to a local  procuratorate for review and prosecution. 

The head of the corps said that they will continue to focus on serving and supporting the construction of the free trade port, further strengthen joint operations with relevant maritime departments such as the maritime police and customs, crack down on maritime and ship-related illegal activities, protect environmental resources, and jointly maintain ecological balance.