Hong Kong Customs seizes live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species
Hong Kong Customs today (November 7) seized five live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $50,000, at Hong Kong International Airport.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers intercepted a parcel declared as containing toy model gift box from the United States to Hong Kong today. Upon inspection, the batch of live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species was found inside the parcel.
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 today (November 7) seized five live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species with a total estimated market value of about $50,000 at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo shows the suspected scheduled endangered live turtles seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes dried shark fins of suspected scheduled endangered species
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (November 7) seized about 31 kilograms of suspected scheduled dried shark fins of endangered species, with an estimated market value of about $130,000, at Hong Kong International Airport.
A 51-year-old Mainland female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Brazil via Ethiopia yesterday. She was intercepted for customs clearance at the arrivals hall of the airport. Customs officers found the batch of suspected scheduled dried shark fins inside her check-in baggage. Upon inspection by officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the batch of dried shark fins was suspected to be from endangered species listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and regulated under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) in Hong Kong. The woman was subsequently arrested by the Customs officers. The case was handed over to the AFCD for follow-up investigation.
The arrested woman has been charged by the AFCD with one count of illegal import of an Appendix II species.
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 seizes dried shark fins of suspected scheduled endangered species Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
