Hong Kong Customs Seizes 1,366 Endangered Arapaimas in Smuggling Operation at HZMB Hong Kong 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 today (April 29) detected an endangered species smuggling case involving a cross-boundary private car at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port and seized 1 366 live arapaimas of suspected scheduled endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $100,000. Photo shows the live arapaimas of suspected scheduled endangered species seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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 Hong Kong Port and seized 1 366 live arapaimas of suspected scheduled endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $100,000. Photo shows one of the live arapaimas of suspected scheduled endangered species. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

New private driving instructor's licences open for applications from May 11

The Transport Department (TD) today (April 30) announced that a total of 332 new private driving instructor's (PDI) licences will be open for applications from 9am on May 11 until 5pm on May 29. The quotas for each group are tabulated below:

PDI group

Number of new licences to be issued

Public Quota

Driving Instructor Quota

Group 1: private cars and light goods vehicles

160

54

Group 2: public light buses, private light buses, public buses and private buses

37

13

Group 3: medium goods vehicles, heavy goods vehicles and articulated vehicles

51

17

A spokesman for the TD said, "Following the completion of the periodic review on the issue of new PDI licences, including a detailed review of learner drivers' demand for driver training from PDIs, the issuance of new licences according to the mechanism aims to ensure an adequate supply of PDIs to meet the demand for driver training, while sustaining market competition."

Applicants should note the following:

The Guidance Notes for Applicants for each group and quota can be downloaded from the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) for applicants to thoroughly understand the qualification requirements for different quotas and submit applications according to their own circumstances;

Applicants must complete and submit the online application form from May 11 to 29 via the designated online platform using an "iAM Smart+" account with the digital signing function or a valid digital certificate. Applicants yet to register for "iAM Smart+" should do so as soon as possible.Upon receipt of their applications, applicants will receive an SMS confirming the application number;

Applicants must meet the qualifications for the relevant groups and quotas. Only one application may be submitted for each group (regardless of Public or Driving Instructor Quota). Late applications will not be accepted;

If the number of applications exceeds the number of licences to be issued for an individual group and quota, the TD will draw lots to determine the order of handling the applications (details to be announced separately), and verify applicants' eligibility and arrange for them to take the driving instructor's test in sequence;

The driving instructor's tests are expected to commence as early as July and the TD will notify qualified applicants individually; and

If all licences are issued, the remaining applications will not be processed.

For enquiries, please call the TD's hotline at 2804 2600.

Source: AI-found images