Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 5) seized about 6 500 kilograms of suspected scheduled red sandalwood, with an estimated market value of about $4.1 million, at Kwai Chung Container Terminals.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers yesterday selected for inspection a seaborne transshipment container arriving from United Arab Emirates en route to Taiwan via Hong Kong. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected scheduled red sandalwood inside the container.
The case was 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.
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, September 6, 2022
