Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 5) seized 82.5 kilograms of suspected rhino horn and cut pieces with an estimated market value of about $16.5 million from a transshipment cargo at the Hong Kong International Airport. This is a record high seizure of suspected rhino horn under smuggling by the department in the past five years.
Customs officers screened a transshipment cargo arrived from South Africa with Malaysia as its destination.
The cargo was declared as "auto parts" but suspicious X-ray images were found over it. The seizure was made subsequent to the opening of the consignment.
The case has been handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up action.
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 an imprisonment for ten years.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Saturday, April 6, 2019
