Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department officers seized a container of shark fins from a controlled and endangered species after intercepting a container on 27 February.
Customs inspector Chan King-fung said that the department acted after being tipped off by the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau that a river vessel bound for Macau was suspected of smuggling.
A patrol vessel tracked and stopped the ship just after midnight that day, and after checking the cargo manifest, officers targeted a container declared to be carrying electronic products, dried seafood and household goods.
The vessel was taken to Tuen Mun River Trade Pier for further searches. Upon inspection, about 1.285 kilos of dried shark fins were found, wrapped in masking tape and placed in a deeper part of the container, believed to be an attempt to evade detection. The goods had a value of US$820,000.
Customs inspector Wu Suet-yee said it is possible that the shark’s fins could be re-exported to China. Shark fins are a common Chinese delicacy, but are controversial due to the action of killing sharks.
Under the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance, any person who imports, exports or possesses an endangered species without obtaining the requisite license can be fined up to HK$10 million (US$1.28 million) and jailed for up to 10 years.
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
