Hong Kong Customs seized about 500 kilograms of suspected smuggled sea cucumbers and 16 tonnes of suspected smuggled donkey skins with an estimated market value of about $1.45 million from a container at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound on April 9.
 
     Through risk assessment, Customs officers selected and inspected a container declared to be carrying table salt that arrived in Hong Kong from Egypt. The suspected smuggled sea cucumbers and donkey skins were seized as a result.
 
     Investigation is ongoing.
 
     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 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

Ends/Saturday, April 11, 2020
Issued at HKT 12:26

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