Customs seizes smuggled animals and endangered turtles
On.cc · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong Customs uncovered two separate suspected illegal animal import cases over two days, involving small mammals and birds at the Lo Wu Spur Line Control Point and live turtles at the airport. One case led to the arrest of a 21-year-old mainland inbound ქალი, while the other involved 17 suspected endangered live turtles concealed in a parcel declared as clothing.
Key Points
- Customs officers intercepted a 21-year-old mainland woman in the arrivals hall at Lo Wu Spur Line Control Point yesterday, 21 August, after checking her paper bag and trouser pockets.
- Officers found a suspected illegally imported batch of animals: one rabbit, one hamster, one guinea pig, one sugar glider, and two parrots suspected to be controlled endangered species.
- The animals seized at Lo Wu Spur Line Control Point were estimated to have a market value of about HK$7,800, and the case was referred to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
- In a separate airport case today, Customs inspected a parcel from the United States declared as clothing after risk assessment and found 17 live turtles suspected to be controlled endangered species.
- The turtles were discovered inside the parcel’s carton, each hidden in socks, with an estimated market value of about HK$102,000; that case was also handed to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
Why It Matters
The two cases show Customs is targeting both passenger and parcel channels for suspected wildlife smuggling into Hong Kong. Follow-up by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will determine possible action under animal import and endangered species controls.