The case was cracked by a joint anti-smuggling action in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and eastern Anhui Province, where the group smuggled pangolin scales from overseas via Guangxi, the General Administration of Customs said on its website.

Nine suspects were caught during the action, which the customs said was part of the country's special operation to crack down on wild animal smuggling.

Since the novel coronavirus outbreak, China has stepped up efforts in cracking down on illegal activities related to wildlife as researchers believe the virus most probably came from wild animals.

The country's top legislature has adopted a decision on thoroughly banning the illegal trading of wildlife and eliminating the consumption of wild animals.