Hong Kong Customs detected a suspected case of ivory smuggling at Hong Kong International Airport on September 2. A total of 24 kilograms of suspected ivory cut pieces, worth about $240,000, were seized from an inbound air parcel.
Upon Customs clearance, Customs officers screened the inbound air parcel declared as "Decorative Tiles" and sent from Zimbabwe, via Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to Hong Kong. Suspicious images were found under X-ray inspection. Customs officers opened the parcel and found the suspected ivory cut pieces covered with sawdust.
The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) for follow-up.
A Customs spokesman said Hong Kong Customs would continue to work with the AFCD as well as Hongkong Post to combat smuggling of endangered species by post.
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 $100,000 and imprisonment for one year.
Ends/Friday, September 4, 2015
