Hong Kong Customs today (June 10) detected an suspected ivory smuggling case and seized about 790 kilogrammes of ivory at Hong Kong International Airport. The total value of seizure was about $7.9 million.
Customs officers selected for inspection passenger baggage in transit arriving from Angola and destined for Cambodia. Upon examination, Customs officers found raw ivory tusks and semi-finished ivory products in 32 pieces of baggage. The ivory seized in this case weighted about 790kg and was the largest amount ever seized from air passengers. Ten men and five women, aged between 20 and 54, were arrested.
Investigation is still ongoing. Hong Kong Customs will continue to co-operate with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to enforce the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance and deter the trafficking of wildlife species.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of trading endangered species for commercial purposes is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million and an imprisonment for two years.
Ends/Tuesday, June 10, 2014
