Hong Kong Customs Seizes $23.8M Worth of Totoaba Fish Maws in Smuggling Case

Hong Kong Customs detects first case this year of smuggling suspected fresh fish maws of scheduled totoaba

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 10) seized about 149 kilograms of suspected fresh fish maws of scheduled totoaba, with an estimated market value of about $23.8 million, at Hong Kong International Airport. This is the first related smuggling case detected by Customs this year.

Through risk assessment, Customs officers yesterday inspected an air transshipment consignment, declared to be carrying frozen fish fillets, arriving from Mexico en route to Vietnam via Hong Kong. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected fresh fish maws of scheduled totoaba mixed with frozen fish fillets inside eight cartons.

An investigation is ongoing.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against trafficking activities involving prohibited and controlled items through air cargo, postal parcels and express courier channels.

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 first case this year of smuggling suspected fresh fish maws of scheduled totoaba Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects first case this year of smuggling suspected fresh fish maws of scheduled totoaba Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects suspected case of illegal importing of animal

Hong Kong Customs today (June 11) detected a suspected case of illegal importing of animal at the Lo Wu Control Point. One suspected illegally imported live cat with an estimated market value of about $15,000 was seized.

Customs officers today intercepted a 60-year-old incoming Chinese man at the Arrival Hall of the Control Point. Upon examination, the live cat was seized from his sling bag, and he was subsequently arrested. The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.

Customs reminds the public that importing animals into Hong Kong without a valid permit is an offence.

Under the Rabies Regulation, any person found guilty of illegally importing animals, carcasses or animal products is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year.

Hong Kong Customs detects suspected case of illegal importing of animal Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases