Hong Kong Customs and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) mounted a joint operation yesterday (January 15) and seized about 502 kilograms of suspected scheduled dried shark fins of endangered species with an estimated market value of about $390,000 from a container at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound.

     Through risk assessment, Customs officers selected a container arriving in Hong Kong from Sri Lanka for inspection and found the batch of suspected scheduled shark fins inside the container.

     The AFCD is following up on the case.

     Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.

     Customs will continue to take vigorous enforcement action against different kinds of smuggling activities during the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

Ends/Thursday, January 16, 2020
Issued at HKT 12:10

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