HONG Kong customs officers have seized a HK$6.4 million (US$817,664) haul of dried shark fins from protected species hidden inside a shipping container believed to have been destined for mainland China.
Inspector Shirley Woo Suet-yi of the customs syndicate crimes investigation bureau said the 1.2-tonnes shipment was possibly on its way to Macau before being smuggled to the mainland, reports Hong Kong's SCMPost.
Officers intercepted the vessel in the city's northwestern waters with six mainland Chinese crew members on board.
The vessel was escorted to the River Trade Terminal in Tuen Mun for inspection. The suspected scheduled shark fins were found mixed with declared goods such as electronic products, dried seafood and household items in one of the containers aboard the vessel.
Ms Woo said samples of the seized shark fins were tested by staff from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, which confirmed they were from endangered species.
We don't rule out the possibility that the haul would have been smuggled into the mainland after reaching Macau, she added.
The importation, export or possession of endangered species without a licence is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a HKD10 million fine in Hong Kong.
SeaNews Turkey
Inspector Shirley Woo Suet-yi of the customs syndicate crimes investigation bureau said the 1.2-tonnes shipment was possibly on its way to Macau before being smuggled to the mainland, reports Hong Kong's SCMPost.
Officers intercepted the vessel in the city's northwestern waters with six mainland Chinese crew members on board.
The vessel was escorted to the River Trade Terminal in Tuen Mun for inspection. The suspected scheduled shark fins were found mixed with declared goods such as electronic products, dried seafood and household items in one of the containers aboard the vessel.
Ms Woo said samples of the seized shark fins were tested by staff from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, which confirmed they were from endangered species.
We don't rule out the possibility that the haul would have been smuggled into the mainland after reaching Macau, she added.
The importation, export or possession of endangered species without a licence is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a HKD10 million fine in Hong Kong.
SeaNews Turkey
