​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (November 23) seized over 450 kilograms of dried shark fins which included suspected scheduled dried shark fins of endangered species with an estimated market value of about $1.3 million at Hong Kong International Airport.
A 38-year-old female passenger arrived at Hong Kong from Brazil via Ethiopia yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of dried shark fins in her 15 check-in baggage. Upon verification, officers of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) confirmed some of the dried shark fins are endangered species under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance.
The case was handed over to the AFCD for follow-up investigation. Customs reminds members of the public not to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.
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/Friday, November 24, 2023
