​Hong Kong Customs on January 22 seized about 115 kilograms of suspected scheduled dried shark fins, with an estimated market value of about $300,000, at Hong Kong International Airport.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers on that day inspected an air consignment, arriving from Bahrain and declared as carrying dried coconuts. Upon inspection, Customs officers found three carton boxes of suspected scheduled dried shark fins, with a total weight of about 115kg, inside the consignment.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday (January 23) arrested a 33-year-old male director of the consignee company suspected to be connected with the case.
An investigation is ongoing and the arrested man 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/Wednesday, January 24, 2024
