Hong Kong Customs seized about 15 kilograms of suspected worked ivory worth about $150,000 and arrested an incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (November 18).
Customs officers intercepted a suspicious 32-year-old male passenger at the airport yesterday evening. The passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Abuja, Nigeria, via Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found about 15kg of suspected worked ivory concealed in a tailor-made vest inside the baggage carried by him. The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.
The case was brought before Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts this morning (November 19). The arrestee pleaded guilty to the offence of importing endangered species and was fined $65,000.
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/Thursday, November 19, 2015
