Customs at Charles De Gaulle Airport in France has said it intercepted 392 monkey skulls and 326 skulls of other animals from the luggage of smugglers over seven months last year.
The confiscated skulls belonged to species protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora of monkeys mostly from Cameroon and were destined for transportation to the United States for collectors and hunting clubs, the customs officials revealed.
"Their movement is only possible with special authorizations. None of the packages tested had such authorizations," customs explained.
Customs transferred all the skulls to the Natural History Museum in Aix-en-Provence in southern France for scientific evaluation.
According to French airport customs chief Gilbert Beltran, trade in endangered species is one of the most profit-making businesses.
"Trafficking in protected species is one of the most lucrative trades after drugs, weapons and people trafficking," Beltran told local media, adding that the business generates $8.5 billion to $21.3 billion per year.
Authorities added that whole specimens, heads or forearms with primate hands were found in the parcels, with otters, felines, monitor lizards, birds of prey are being also trafficked.