Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 19) detected a suspected fishing vessel smuggling case in the waters off Fan Lau, Lantau Island. About 400 suspected scheduled live Asian arowana fishes, over 100 bags of suspected scheduled live stony corals and about 1 700 frozen leopard coral groupers with an estimated market value of about $1.82 million were seized. Three men were arrested in the case.
Customs officers spotted a suspicious fishing vessel heading west towards Mainland waters from the waters off Fan Lau last night. Immediate action was taken to intercept the fishing vessel for examination. The seizure, including the endangered Asian arowana fishes and stony corals, was made on board.
During the operation, Customs officers arrested three male crew members, aged between 45 and 64, and the fishing vessel has been detained for investigation.
Investigation is ongoing.
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.
In addition, smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action to combat sea smuggling activities.
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, August 20, 2021
