Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 26) seized about 14.4 kilograms of suspected scheduled dried totoaba fish maws with an estimated market value of about $3.2 million at Hong Kong International Airport.
Through risk assessment, Customs yesterday inspected an air consignment, declared to be carrying dried fish fillets, arriving from Mexico en route to Vietnam via Hong Kong. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected scheduled dried Totoaba macdonaldi fish maws mix-loaded with non-scheduled dried fish fillets inside two cartons.
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.
With the recent reduction in air passenger traffic, Customs will continue to step up enforcement against trafficking activities involving prohibited and controlled items through air cargo, postal parcel and express courier channels.
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, July 27, 2021
