Hong Kong Customs seizes live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species (with photos)
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Based on risk assessment, Customs intercepted an outgoing private car declaring as empty, at the HZMB Hong Kong Port on December 5. Upon inspection, customs officers found 42 live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species placed at the boot.
A 33-year-old male driver was arrested and charged with one count of attempting to export unmanifested cargo and one count of attempting to export a species under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (December 8).
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 upon conviction.
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, December 7, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:01
Issued at HKT 16:01
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