Customs officers yesterday morning (January 7) seized a total of 186 pieces of ivory tusks inside a container shipped to Hong Kong. The ivory tusks were worth about $2 million.
The consignment, declared as 285 pieces of "White Wood" and coming from Nigeria, was shipped to Hong Kong via Malaysia on December 18, 2009.
Officers of the Ports and Maritime Command found 186 pieces of ivory tusks concealed inside the consignment during examination at Kwai Chung Container Terminal. Follow-up investigation is still going on.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing unmanifested cargoes is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
In addition, under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of trading endangered species for commercial purposes is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million and imprisonment for two years.
Ends/Friday, January 8, 2010
