Yesterday evening, around HKD2 million worth of furs and live birds were seized in Tung Chung.
At 7:30pm, customs officers and marine police approached four men who were unloading cargo from a light goods vehicle to a speedboat by the Sham Shui Kok shore, HK01 reports.
Upon seeing the authorities, the suspects immediately jumped onto the speedboat and fled the scene. Police have not able to locate the boat and no arrests have been made so far.
When customs officers inspected the cargo, they found 14 boxes of suspected animal furs, 46 blue-and-yellow macaws, and 24 oriental magpie-robins.
Exporting unmanifested cargo is in breach of the Import and Export Ordinance. Upon conviction, offenders can be liable to a HKD2 million fine and seven years’ imprisonment.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, exporting or importing an endangered species can be punishable by a fine of up to HKD5 million and two years’ imprisonment.
Got a tip? Send it to us at hongkong@coconuts.co
