Hong Kong customs seizes 760 suspected endangered reptiles worth HK$580,000

Hong Kong customs officers have arrested a male driver after intercepting a goods vehicle at the Shenzhen Bay checkpoint and finding 760 suspected endangered reptiles, with an estimated market value of about HK$580,000 (US$74,060), hidden inside.The Customs and Excise Department said on Monday it found 106 turtles and 654 lizards hidden in his truck, believed to be endangered species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.Officers intercepted an outbound medium goods vehicle at the Shenzhen Bay control point last Wednesday and found irregularities in the truck’s undercarriage during an X-ray inspection.“Twenty-six black bags were found concealed inside the chassis frame under the cargo compartment,” the department said.“Upon examination, the bags were found to contain live turtles and live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species.”The 44-year-old male driver was arrested and later released on bail pending further investigations.Anyone convicted of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo faces a maximum fine of HK$2 million and up to seven years in jail, under the Import and Export Ordinance.Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, illegally importing, exporting or possessing endangered species carries a maximum penalty of HK$10 million and 10 years’ imprisonment.Last month, the department seized nearly 1,000 turtles from the boot of an outgoing car at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge control point and arrested the driver and passenger.Further Reading