Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 15) seized about 9 710 kilograms of suspected scheduled red sandalwood from a container at the Tsing Yi Cargo Examination Compound. The estimated market value of the seizure was about $6 million. This is the largest red sandalwood smuggling case detected by Customs this year.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers selected and inspected a transshipment container arriving from the United Arab Emirates and destined for the Mainland of China via Hong Kong. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected red sandalwood inside the container.
The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, 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.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Friday, October 16, 2020
