Duo sentenced for smuggling worked ivory
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A spokesman of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that about 60 kilograms of worked ivory were found concealed in false compartment of the four computer tower cases inside the luggage of two men, aged 53 and 54, arriving from Harare, Zimbabwe, via Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, by Customs officers on September 16.
Subsequent to follow-up investigations, the AFCD charged the men with illegal import of specimens of listed species in Appendix I to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). They were each sentenced to imprisonment for two months.
Elephants are listed in Appendix I to the CITES and regulated under the Ordinance in Hong Kong. Any person importing, exporting or re-exporting specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance will be liable to a maximum fine of $5 million and imprisonment for two years. The specimens will also be forfeited upon conviction.
To enquire about the control of endangered species or to report suspected irregularities, the public can call the AFCD on 1823.
Ends/Monday, September 18, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:01
Issued at HKT 17:01
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