Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 23) seized about 200 kilograms of suspected scheduled dried shark fins of endangered species with an estimated market value of about $120,000 from a container at the Tsing Yi Cargo Examination Compound.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers selected a container arriving in Hong Kong from Sri Lanka for inspection and found the batch of suspected scheduled dried shark fins mix-loaded with another batch of non-scheduled dried shark fins inside the container.
The case has been 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 or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.
Customs will continue to take vigorous enforcement action against different kinds of smuggling activities during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
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/Tuesday, December 24, 2019
