The international illegal trade of rare flora and fauna objects has long been an acute international issue. At the same time, a significant volume of smuggled rare species of animals and plants falls on Russian Federation. In order to counter criminal encroachments against rare and endangered species of animals and aquatic biological resources, amendments were made to the Russian criminal legislation, including Article 226.1. of Criminal Code of Russian Federation, in accordance with which criminal liability is established for the smuggling of especially valuable wild animals and aquatic biological resources listed in the Red Book of Russian Federation and (or) protected by international treaties of Russian Federation. At the same time, the imperfection of legal norms governing liability for smuggling significantly reduces the level of their protection. These circumstances require constant improvement of measures to counter smuggling, including criminal law improvement.