Hong Kong Customs detects two smuggling cases involving cross-boundary private cars
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 18) detected two smuggling export cases involving cross-boundary private cars at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Portrespectively, and seized 427 live turtles, eight turtle eggs and 222 live lizards with a total estimated market value of about $521,000.
In the first case, through risk assessment, Customs yesterday intercepted an outgoing private car at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point. After inspection, Customs officers found 400 live turtles and 222 live lizards concealed in the false compartment of spare tyre.
In the second case, Customs intercepted an outgoing private car at Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port yesterday. After inspection, Customs officers found 27 live turtles and eight turtle eggs concealed under the hood of the vehicle, in which three live turtles and all the turtle eggs were suspected to be scheduled endangered species.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the IEO, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
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 $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 detects two smuggling cases involving cross-boundary private cars Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two smuggling cases involving cross-boundary private cars Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
