Russian officials seize half ton of bear claws being smuggled to China

BLAGOVESHCHENSK, Russia, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Russian border control officials said they found almost half a ton of bear paws and Siberian musk deer organs being smuggled to China.

The materials were found in a garage in the border city of Blagoveshchensk, RIA Novosti said.

Officials said the bear paws came from 100 animals.

Bear paws are smuggled from Russia to many Asian countries, RIA Novosti said, as they are considered delicacies there and also used for medicinal purposes.