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Hong Kong Customs seized about 36 kilograms in total of suspected ivory products, worth about $360,000, and arrested two incoming male passengers at Hong Kong International Airport today (November 3).
Customs officers intercepted two suspicious male passengers at the airport this morning. The two men arrived in Hong Kong from Harare, Zimbabwe, via Dubai, United Arab Emirates. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found about 19kg of suspected ivory products concealed in a tailor-made vest inside the hand luggage of the 47-year-old man. About 17kg of suspected ivory products in total were found in the hand luggage of the 29-year-old man. The cases were handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million and imprisonment for two years.
Ends/Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:18
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