Hong Kong Customs seizes live turtles of scheduled endangered species
Hong Kong Customs on July 13 seized 33 live turtles of a scheduled endangered species with an estimated market value of about $330,000 at the Air Mail Centre in Hong Kong International Airport.
Through risk assessment, Customs that day examined three inbound parcels declared as containing cushions filled with polyester at the Air Mail Centre. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of live turtles of a scheduled endangered species wrapped in plastic and concealed in socks inside the postal packets.
Customs officers subsequently conducted controlled delivery operations and arrested three postal packet recipients including a 37-year-old Mainland male, a 47-year-old local female and a 29-year-old local male. The arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation. The investigation is ongoing.
Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement actions against all kinds of smuggling activities through 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.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of an 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 July 13 seized 33 live turtles of a scheduled endangered species with an estimated market value of about $330,000 at the Air Mail Centre in Hong Kong International Airport. Photo shows one of the live turtles of the scheduled endangered species seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Police conduct anti-illegal gambling operation during 2026 FIFA World Cup
Police conducted a territory-wide anti-illegal gambling operation codenamed “CROWBEAK” cum “WINDSHIELD” during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June and July. During the operation, Police arrested 991 people and seized over $365 million in betting records, as well as over $7.4 million in cash and assets.
During the operation, Police raided 249 premises suspected of being linked to illegal gambling activities and arrested 991 people (645 males and 346 females, aged between 16 and 93) for offences including “engaging in bookmaking”, “promoting or facilitating bookmaking”, “betting with a bookmaker”, “operating illegal gambling establishments”, “dealing with property known or reasonably believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence” (commonly known as “money laundering”), etc.
Police seized suspected crime proceeds comprising about $3 million in cash and $4.4 million worth of valuables. Additionally, 43 computers and 443 mobile phones suspected of facilitating bookmaking activities were seized. The aggregate value of betting records uncovered in the operation was $365 million.
Moreover, on the education front, Police conducted a series of preventive education campaigns under the theme “Stay Away from Illegal Gambling”, including:
• promoting anti-illegal gambling messages via media and online channels, including producing a promotional video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyDaXOZv6TA);
• broadcasting promotional videos, distributing leaflets and displaying posters at entertainment venues and strategic locations in various districts; and
• collaborating closely with the communities, schools, government departments and other organisations to enhance the promotion of anti-illegal gambling messages through various channels.
Police appeal to the public that in accordance with the Gambling Ordinance (Cap. 148), anyone who bets with a bookmaker commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and nine months’ imprisonment on conviction. Anyone who engages in bookmaking, or promotes or facilitates bookmaking, commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million and seven years’ imprisonment on conviction. A person would still be liable to the offences even if the gambling website is hosted overseas yet he/she engaged in its operation in Hong Kong.
Source: AI-found images
