Vehicle with pangolins seized in Guangxi

A total of 39 live pangolins were found hidden inside a sedan by police in Fangchenggang of southern China's Guangxi Province on Jan. 24. [Photo/CNS]

A total of 39 live pangolins were found hidden inside a sedan by police in Fangchenggang of southern China's Guangxi Province on Jan. 24, Chinanews.com reported.

Local police noticed a black car suddenly hit the brakes as it was about to pass through a highway toll station in Fangchenggang around 3:00 a.m. last Friday. There were only two men seated inside the car, but the vehicle appeared much heavier, police said.

Police forced a halt to the car after following it for some five kilometers. Officers first discovered a false license plate inside, yet a strong fishy smell aroused further suspicion.

Finally, a lot of pangolins, still alive, were retrieved from a box hidden in the back seat.

One man was placed in custody, while the other managed to escape.

The case has been handed over to the Fangchenggang forest public security bureau and is currently still under investigation.

The pangolin, found naturally in tropical regions throughout Africa and Asia, is under national second-class protection.