Hong Kong Customs seizes reptiles of suspected scheduled endangered species
Hong Kong Customs on June 26 detected a smuggling case involving a cross-boundary private car at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized 386 live turtles, 27 live snakes and two live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $625,000.
Through risk assessment, Customs on that day intercepted an outgoing private car at the said Control Point. After inspection, Customs officers found two live lizards at the centre console and found 386 live turtles and 27 live snakes concealed in the compartment of the spare tyre. A 39-year-old local male driver suspected to be connected with the case was subsequently arrested. He has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, 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 on June 26 detected a smuggling case involving a cross-boundary private car at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized 386 live turtles, 27 live snakes and two live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $625,000. Photo shows the live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs on June 26 detected a smuggling case involving a cross-boundary private car at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized 386 live turtles, 27 live snakes and two live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $625,000. Photo shows some of the live snakes of suspected scheduled endangered species seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs on June 26 detected a smuggling case involving a cross-boundary private car at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized 386 live turtles, 27 live snakes and two live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $625,000. Photo shows the live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HAD opens temporary heat shelters
The Home Affairs Department is opening 19 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (August 24).
The Home Affairs Department and the District Offices review from time to time the arrangements of heat shelters with a view to enhancing their services. A series of service enhancement measures have been introduced this year, including strengthening the cooling and ventilation facilities, providing drinking water dispensers which are more easily accessible, offering personal cooling items, providing more comfortable rest areas and improving the female zone, while food items that cater for the dietary needs of ethnic minorities are even provided in certain heat shelters, so as to provide more comprehensive services for users of heat shelters.
The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.
For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.
The heat shelters are located at:
Hong Kong Island:
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Central and Western -
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
Eastern -
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
Southern -
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau
Wan Chai -
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
Kowloon:
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Kowloon City -
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
Kwun Tong -
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
Sham Shui Po -
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate
Wong Tai Sin -
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
Yau Tsim Mong -
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
New Territories:
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Islands -
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
Kwai Tsing -
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
North -
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
Sai Kung -
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex, 38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O
Sha Tin -
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
Tai Po -
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
Tsuen Wan -
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
Tuen Mun -
Wu Shan Road Community Hall
101 Wu Shan Road, Tuen Mun
Yuen Long -
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
Yuen Long -
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai
In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf.
Source: AI-found images
