Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 28) seized about 2 100 kilograms (kg) of suspected pangolin scales from a container at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. The total value of the seizure was about $4.8 million.
Customs officers, through risk assessment, selected a shipment arriving from Ghana, declared as terephthalate polyethylene, for inspection. As a result, 106 bags of suspected pangolin scales with a total weight of about 2 100 kg were found in the container.
As the suspected pangolin scales were not declared on the manifest, they were seized by Customs officers for further investigation.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing 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, any person found guilty of importing an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million and imprisonment for two years.
Ends/Friday, July 29, 2016
