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Hong Kong Customs seized about 16 kilograms of suspected ivory pieces worth about $160,000 and arrested an incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (November 6).
Customs officers intercepted a suspicious 45-year-old male passenger at the airport yesterday evening. The said passenger arrived at Hong Kong from Abuja, Nigeria via Dubai, United Arab Emirates. During Customs clearance, about 13.5 kilograms of suspected ivory pieces concealed in a tailor-made vest inside the passenger's baggage and 2.5 kilograms of suspected ivory pieces inside a backpack were found. The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.
The case was brought up before Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts this morning (November 7). The arrestee pleaded guilty and was fined $65,000.
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/Saturday, November 7, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:08
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