Hong Kong Customs detected a suspected case of ivory smuggling on November 2 and seized about 38.6 kilograms of suspected cut ivory with a total value of about $386,000 from a parcel at a courier parcel transshipment centre at Hong Kong International Airport.
On November 2, Customs officers intercepted an inbound courier parcel, declared to contain pet food and shipped from Malaysia, for Customs clearance. During examination, officers found the suspected cut ivory covered with the pet food. Customs officers arrested a man who received the parcel yesterday (November 3). The 35-year-old man, who claimed to be the proprietor of a company, has been released on bail pending investigation.
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/Wednesday, November 4, 2015
