​Hong Kong Customs on July 14 detected a smuggling case involving a cross-boundary private car at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized 216 live turtles and two turtle eggs with an estimated market value of about $21,800.
Through risk assessment, Customs that day intercepted an outgoing private car at the control point. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of live turtles and turtle eggs in the boot of the vehicle. A 52-year-old local male driver was arrested and has been released on bail pending investigation.
Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
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).
