​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 30) detected an endangered species smuggling case involving a medium goods vehicle at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized 2 139 live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species with an estimated market value of about $1 million.
      
     Based on risk assessment, Customs yesterday intercepted an outgoing medium goods vehicle at the control point. Upon X-ray examination, Customs officers spotted irregularities in the images of the vehicle's undercarriage. Nine black bags were found discovered inside the chassis frame under the cargo compartment of the vehicle. Upon examination, the bags were found to contain the batch of live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species.
      
     A 38-year-old male driver was arrested and was charged with one count of attempting to export unmanifested cargo, one count of attempting to export a species under the Appendix II of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(CITES) and one count of cruelty to animals. The case will be brought up at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (September 1).
      
     Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
      
     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.
      
     Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years upon conviction with the specimens forfeited.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Ends/Sunday, August 31, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:54

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