​Hong Kong Customs today (April 29) detected an endangered species smuggling case involving a cross-boundary private car at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port and seized 1 366 live arapaimas of suspected scheduled endangered species, with a total estimated market value of about $100,000.
Customs intercepted an outgoing private car at the HZMB Hong Kong Port today. Upon examination, Customs officers found a batch of live arapaimas of suspected scheduled endangered species placed in the boot and the middle row of the vehicle. A 26-year-old male driver was arrested. The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) for follow-up action.
The male driver has been charged by the AFCD with one count of illegal export of an Appendix II species. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 30).
Customs will continue to combat illegal import and export of endangered species activities with stringent enforcement action.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk)or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
