Officials in China have seized 213 bear paws that were found hidden inside the tires of a vehicle that was attempting to cross into the country across the Russian border.
BBC News reports that the discovery was made back in May and authorities arrested two Russian men in connection with the crime.
The discovery was made when officials became suspicious of the vehicle's driver, who appeared to nervous when going through the border.
Officials then X-rayed the vehicle and removed the tires, where the paws were found.
"The demand is huge because more people can afford them and the country has the tradition to treat bear paw as a rare ingredient for cuisine or as an expensive present," said Zhang Xiaohai, an official with Animals Asia Foundation. "Bear farms in China exacerbate the situation as they also sell paws illegally, which stimulates the growing trade."
In China, paws from bears are worth approximately 10 times more than what they are worth in Russia.
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