Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 15) seized about 800 kilograms of suspected scheduled shark fins, with an estimated market value of about $4 million, at Hong Kong International Airport.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers yesterday inspected an air consignment, declared as dry fish, arriving in Hong Kong from Dubai at an air cargo terminal in the airport. Upon inspection, Customs officers found a total of about 800kg of suspected scheduled shark fins inside 25 carton boxes among the goods.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers today (January 16) arrested a 56-year-old female director of the consignee company suspected to be connected with the case.
An investigation is ongoing and the arrested person has been released on bail pending further 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) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Ends/Tuesday, January 16, 2024
