Hong Kong Customs on June 25 seized 36 live turtles of a scheduled endangered species with an estimated market value of about $360,000 at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point.

     Through risk assessment, Customs that day intercepted an incoming lorry at the control point. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of live turtles of a scheduled endangered species wrapped in plastic and concealed in socks in a carton box declared as carrying clothing.

     Customs officers subsequently conducted a controlled delivery operation and arrested a local 53-year-old woman in Tuen Mun. The arrested woman has been released on bail pending further investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

     Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement actions against all kinds of smuggling activities through 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 (Cap. 586), any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of an 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.
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     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/Thursday, July 16, 2026
Issued at HKT 15:45

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