Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 31) seized about 12 200 kilograms of suspected red sandalwood, an endangered species, from a container at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. The total value of the seizure was estimated at about $8.5 million.
Customs officers, through risk assessment, selected a shipment arriving from Malaysia for inspection. As a result, the wood logs which were suspected to be from an endangered species were found in 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 an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million and imprisonment for two years.
Ends/Tuesday, November 1, 2016
