Hong Kong Customs seizes live tortoises of suspected scheduled endangered species
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 9) seized five live tortoises of suspected scheduled endangered species, with an estimated market value of about $39,000, at Hong Kong International Airport.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers yesterday inspected an air consignment declared to contain wallets imported from South Africa to Hong Kong. Upon inspection, the batch of live tortoises, which were suspected to be scheduled endangered species, were found from a carton box.
The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up action.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs seizes live tortoises of suspected scheduled endangered species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes
An incoming passenger was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $300 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (March 10) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted an incoming male passenger, aged 52, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (March 9) and seized about 43 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $175,400 and a duty potential of about $141,400. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
