A Chinese antique dealer was sentenced to about six years in prison after admitting that he was the man behind an international ring specializing in smuggled elephant ivory and rhino horns that pass through Hong Kong.

Li Zhifei, 30, said he deeply regretted the act and that he wished to be reunited with his six-year old daughter.

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He also admitted that the horns were duck taped and hidden inside porcelain vases and shipped to Hong Kong before entering mainland China.

The Chinese smuggler was arrested during a nationwide effort, Operation Crash, which was launched to indict those who are involved in illegal rhino horns trading and crimes against other protected animals.

Li pleaded guilty to charges of illegal wildlife trafficking, falsifying public documents, conspiracy and smuggling last December.

Li operated his business, Overseas Treasure Finding, by paying three antique dealers in the US to help him smuggle the items into China, said the US attorney's office.

The prosecutor said the items, including 30 smuggled rhino horns, were valued around US $4.5 million.

The US has been regulating international trade in elephant ivory and rhino horns since the middle of 1970s. The United States also protects all rhino species under its law and international rulings.

Li was ordered to serve his sentence in the United States and some US $3.5 million in sales from his illegal trading business will be confiscated. Li will be deported back to Shandong province after serving his sentence.

On the other hand, New Jersey district Attorney Paul Fishman commended the sentence imposed saying this was the longest punishment ever mandated in the country for a smuggling activity involving wildlife.

Fishman also added that criminals benefit from the illegal wildlife market which has been supplied by brutality and poaching.

Meanwhile, US magistrate Esther Salas said she has been hoping that smugglers and those attempting to poach animals would hear the strong message of Li's sentence.

She added that the illegal activities involving wildlife in the black market should be prevented as innocent and magnificent creatures are being slaughtered.

TagsLi Zhifei, Rhino horns, Elephant ivory, Esther Salas, Paul Fishman, Shandong province