A 60-year-old Chinese man, who smuggled rhino horns to Hong Kong, was convicted at the District Court today (February 26) for violating the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (Cap. 586) and sentenced to imprisonment for 24 months. 
      
     A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that the passenger arrived at Hong Kong International Airport from Dhaka, Bangladesh, on June 29 last year. During inspection of the man's luggage by Customs officers, 41 suspected rhino horns cut in pieces were found concealed inside. The AFCD officers attended the scene and examined the items, which were found to be painted black and wrapped in plastic film. All cut pieces were confirmed to be rhino horns, weighing 7.7 kilograms in total, with an estimated market value of about $3 million. The man was prosecuted by the AFCD for the illegal importation of specimens of endangered species. He was convicted at the District Court today, and the court adopted a starting point of 36 months' imprisonment for sentencing. A one-third reduction was given for his guilty plea and the defendant was sentenced to imprisonment for 24 months. 

     Rhinos are listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and are regulated under the Ordinance in Hong Kong. Any person who imports, exports or possesses 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.
      
     The spokesman said, "the Government is committed to the protection of endangered species. The AFCD and Hong Kong Customs will remain vigilant and closely monitor and combat illegal activities involving endangered species."

     Members of the public may call 1823 to report any suspected irregularities to the AFCD and visit the AFCD website at www.cites.hk regarding the control of endangered species in Hong Kong.

Ends/Thursday, February 26, 2026
Issued at HKT 15:30

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