If you've heard of pangolins, it's likely for a sad distinction:
 
These insect-eating animals are believed to be the world's most trafficked mammals. 
 
This week, Indonesian authorities rescued 101 live pangolins headed for Malaysia.

Four died after the bust.
 
Authorities often only intercept bags of scales or carcasses.
  
Poachers kill tens of thousands of pangolins each year for their meat and scales.  

The armor is invaluable to pangolins. Even a tiger can't pierce it. 
 
For the criminals these Malaysian agents stopped in June, the scales were also very valuable.
 
Crystal meth producers sometimes cut their product with pangolin scales, which contain an opioid-like compound thought to enhance the drug's effect. (I've seen this reported a few places but I haven't confirmed it. I just emailed a source to double-check).
 
Traditional medicine also uses the scales, without proven efficacy.
 
A 2017 estimate puts the street value of the scales of one pangolin at about $2,700.
 
The two smugglers just arrested off Sumatra would have seen only a small fraction of that price.

Their operation used a fishing boat, part of a new tactic: small, frequent runs avoiding major ports.
 
The Indonesian government reports it will release the animals into a national park.
 
Out of eight pangolins species, the four native to Asia are endangered.
 
And African pangolins are increasingly vulnerable.