Hong Kong Customs on July 25 and July 30 detected two air smuggling cases of live turtles of scheduled endangered species. A total of 42 live turtles of scheduled endangered species with a total estimated market value of about $210,000 were seized.
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     Through risk assessment, Customs on the abovementioned days examined one inbound consignment declared as containing statues and decorative ornaments, and two inbound consignments declared as containing mugs and other steins. After inspection, Customs officers found a batch of live turtles of a scheduled endangered species wrapped in plastic and concealed in socks inside the consignments.

     Customs officers subsequently conducted controlled delivery operations and arrested two recipients of the consignments including a 33-year-old local male and a 65-year-old local male. The arrested persons have 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.

     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.

     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/Monday, August 3, 2026
Issued at HKT 15:52

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