Hong Kong Customs Seizes 1,366 Endangered Arapaimas in Smuggling Operation at Bridge Port

Hong Kong Customs seizes arapaimas of suspected scheduled endangered species

Hong Kong Customs today (April 29) detected an endangered species smuggling case involving a cross-boundary private car at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port and seized 1366 live arapaimas of suspected scheduled endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $100,000.

Customs intercepted an outgoing private car at the HZMB Hong Kong Port today. Upon examination, Customs officers found a batch of live arapaimas of suspected scheduled endangered species placed in the boot and the middle row of the vehicle. A 26-year-old male driver was arrested. The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) for follow-up action.

The male driver has been charged by the AFCD with onecount of illegal export of an Appendix II species. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April30).

Customs will continue to combat illegal import and export of endangered species activities with stringent enforcement action.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, 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 $10million and imprisonment for 10years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 1828080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk)or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs seizes arapaimas of suspected scheduled endangered species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes arapaimas of suspected scheduled endangered species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Public urged to guard against repeated fake messages on Guangdong-Hong Kong Regular Quotas for vehicles

A spokesman for the Transport Department (TD) today (April 29) again reminded members of the public not to be misled by recent fake messages in social media and messaging groups that claim Hong Kong residents can directly apply for valid permanent Guangdong-Hong Kong Regular Quotas for their vehicles and use various boundary control points (BCPs). The case will be referred to law enforcement agencies for follow-up.

A spokesman for the TD clarified that applicants for the Regular Quotas must meet the application requirements stipulated by the Mainland authority and submit the specified documents (such as business registration documents of both Guangdong and Hong Kong) to the Mainland authority. Upon receipt of the Mainland Approval Notice from the Mainland authority, applicants may then apply to the TD of the HKSAR Government for Closed Road Permits for the designated land-based boundary control points.

The spokesman added, "Similar false information has from time to time appeared in local and Mainland social media and messaging groups. Such messages repeatedly impersonate government announcements, falsely claiming that quotas are not subject to BCPs or eligibility criteria to solicit clients. Members of the public should heighten vigilance."

The HKSAR Government stressed that the arrangements for the Regular Quotas and the use of BCPs are serious issues which must be jointly deliberated by the governments of the two places holistically. Citizens should refer to official announcements, verify messages carefully and stay alert against deception to avoid disruption to their travel plans.

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