An investigation by Post Magazine and wildlife trade monitoring group Traffic has revealed a smuggling network through which Hong Kong and mainland crime syndicates have imported more than HK$4 billion of endangered shellfish to Hong Kong in the past nine years. Beige abalone from the South African Cape can sell wholesale for more than HK$16,000 a kilogram in Sheung Wan.

Cape authorities say much of the imported abalone has been harvested illegally for the gangs, who pay for it with ephedrine, used to make Ice. In the past five years, 4 per cent of Western Cape's people have become hooked on the drug and drug-related crime has surged 250 per cent.

Full report Post Magazine