Hong Kong Customs seizes live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species
Hong Kong Customs today (September 1) seized six live turtles of a suspected scheduled endangered species, with an estimated market value of about $36,000, at Hong Kong International Airport.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers intercepted a parcel declared as containing handicraft gifts from the United States to Hong Kong today. Upon inspection, a batch of live turtles of a suspected endangered species was found inside a wooden box.
The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up action.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586), 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 seized six live turtles of a suspected scheduled endangered species, with an estimated market value of about $36,000, at Hong Kong International Airport today (September 1). Photo shows the batch of live turtles of a suspected scheduled endangered species. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth over $5 million
Hong Kong Customs on August 30 seized about 13 kilograms of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of over $5 million, at Hong Kong International Airport.
Through risk assessment, Customs on that day inspected an air parcel, declared as swimming pool sanitisers, arriving in Hong Kong from Spain via France. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected ketamine inside four plastic buckets in the parcel.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation yesterday (August 31) and arrested a 23-year-old local man suspected to be connected to the case in Kwai Chung.
The arrested person has been charged with one count of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court tomorrow (September 2).
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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 seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth over $5 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
