Customs officials in China seize a big shipment of tiny seahorses.

Officers at Beijing Capital Airport suspected two passengers carrying several suitcases back from Egypt.

They found sealed bags filled with more than 100 kilograms of freeze-dried seahorses, accompanied by a foul smell.

[Beijing Capital Airport Customs Officer]:
"All the officers could smell something pungent and their throats felt irritated, and they felt a bit dizzy."

China forbids the import of seahorses--often used for traditional medicine--as protected animals by law.

Consuming seahorses is believed to have many health benefits.

But a member of the China Endangered Species Scientific Commission says trade needs more regulation.

[Zeng Yan, Endangered Species Commission Member]:
"It's overuse, because people are now using such large quantities and there are no appropriate protection policies. We lack a legal channel to control these trades."

Illegal shipments of rare animals are regularly stopped.

Objects like rhinoceros horns, bear paws and parts of the tiger are all considered to have health benefits or increase virility.