Hong Kong customs seizes HK$100m in suspected endangered species on cargo ship
Hong Kong customs intercepted four containers bound for South Korea on 24 October, seizing suspected endangered species including shark fins, crocodile skins and seahorses worth about HK$100 million. No arrests have been made yet. Offenders face fines up to HK$10 million and 10 years in jail.
Hong Kong customs have seized about HK$100 million (US$12.9 million) worth of suspected endangered species from a cargo ship, the department announced on 12 November.
Acting on intelligence analysis and risk assessment, officers inspected four containers on 24 October that were originally destined for South Korea and declared as carrying seafood. Inside, they found a large quantity of suspected smuggled endangered species, including regulated shark fins, shark skins, crocodile skins, seahorses, mobula ray gill plates and sea cucumbers.
The investigation is ongoing, and customs said they do not rule out making arrests.
Customs said it is the government department responsible for combating smuggling and takes a comprehensive approach against all types of smuggling activities. It vowed to maintain rigorous enforcement, using risk management and intelligence-led strategies to conduct targeted anti-smuggling operations.
Under Hong Kong's Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, smuggling regulated endangered species is a serious offence. Anyone who imports, exports or possesses such species without a licence faces a maximum fine of HK$10 million and up to 10 years in prison upon conviction.
The public can report suspected smuggling activities via the customs 24-hour hotline at 182 8080, the dedicated email account at [email protected], or the online form at eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002.
