Hong Kong customs arrests 2 passengers over suspected smuggling of tiger teeth, pangolin meat and live turtles

The estimated market value of the seized items was about HK$50,000 (US$6,400).

Hong Kong customs seizes suspected smuggled goods worth HK$6 million

Tiger teeth and pangolin meat fall under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and their importation is regulated by Hong Kong’s Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance.

A 45-year-old woman who flew in from Tokyo the next day was arrested after authorities alleged she had 64 live turtles in her possession, suspected to be endangered species listed under the ordinance.

The estimated market value of the turtles was about HK$650,000.

The two suspects were separately charged with the export of parts of species without the proper licence and are expected to appear at West Kowloon Courts on Monday.

Importation and exportation or possession of endangered species without permission is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a HK$10 million fine.

Hong Kong customs seizes mainland-bound lobsters worth HK$1.24 million on Lantau

Suspected smugglers were seen unloading goods from a vehicle onto a speedboat on the waterfront.

They jumped onto the boat and fled towards mainland Chinese waters when officers moved in.