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Seven travellers were convicted of smuggling ivory tusks and worked ivory at the Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts. One of them was sentenced to four months' imprisonment while the six others were fined $30,000 to $80,000.
Customs officers seized a total of about 160 kilograms of ivory tusks and worked ivory at the Hong Kong International Airport during a planned operation from December 13 to 15. The items were found in the check-in baggage of 14 persons from three in-bound flights from Dubai and Johannesburg.
The cases were referred to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) for follow-up action. Seven travellers, comprising four men and three women aged between 24 and 48, were immediately prosecuted and appeared in court on December 14 and today (December 16).
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap 586), any person found guilty of importing, exporting, re-exporting or possessing any endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million, imprisonment for two years and mandatory forfeiture of the specimens. The public are reminded to comply with the regulations.
To enquire about the import of endangered species and report illegal import cases, the public can call 1823 or visit the website www.cites.hk.
Ends/Monday, December 16, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:45
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