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Customs officers at Kwai Chung Customhouse today afternoon (July 22) seized from an incoming containers 4,400 kilograms of frozen pangolin carcass, worth about HK$890,000.
As confirmed by officers of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the seized products were endangered species. Customs Officers thus detained the seizures for follow-up investigation.
The consignment of frozen pangolin carcass, which was declared carrying assorted frozen fishes, was shipped from Indonesia to Hong Kong in a 40-foot container on July 16 for re-export to Mainland.
After inspection at the cargo examination compound in Kwai Chung Customhouse, Customs officers found frozen pangolin carcass camouflaged by frozen fish, piled up inside the container.
No arrest is made so far.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of "importing unmanifested cargoes" is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Under the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance, any person found guilty of trading endangered species for commercial purpose is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million and imprisonment for two years.
Ends/Saturday, July 22, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:53
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