Jobless man who smuggled 440kg of endangered pangolin scales into Hong Kong sentenced to 4 years in jail

“The law has to prevent the act of stealing but also protect endangered animals from suffering irreparable damage,” he said.

He stressed a “deterrent sentence” was necessary to reflect the seriousness of the offence, saying the defendant had played a role in linking up a logistics chain for the contraband.

The scales seized in the case were the biggest bust for which a conviction has been secured.

The court had earlier heard that the defendant was the receiver of four consignments of parcels declared to contain mascara from Sarawak, Malaysia, between December 2018 and January 2019.

During the trial, the court was told that Hong liaised with a man behind the scenes in mainland China over the parcel collection, which he later stored in a residential flat in To Kwa Wan.

The defendant received the parcels from Malaysia and then instructed others to pick them up separately.

Lee set the starting point for sentence at three years for Hong’s role in importing the scales.

Man faces at least 4 years in Hong Kong jail for pangolin scale smuggling

For the possession offence, punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a fine of HK$10 million (US$1.28 million), the judge adopted a 3½-year sentence and ordered six months for the other charge to be served consecutively.

Anyone convicted of importing specimens of endangered species without a licence can be punished by up to 10 years in jail and a HK$10 million fine.

The maximum prison sentence that can be imposed in the District Court is seven years.

Sophie Le Clue, CEO of ADM Capital Foundation, a philanthropic foundation, said Hong Kong had become the hub for pangolin trafficking in recent years, following the confiscation of more than 57 tonnes of pangolin scales and carcasses.

Hong Kong customs arrests 2 over alleged smuggling of protected animals and parts

“We hope [Wednesday’s sentence] marks a turning point in providing the deterrence needed to stem the large volumes of illegal wildlife flowing into the city,” she said.

Customs welcomed the ruling too.

“The sentence of imprisonment has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the infringing offence related to endangered species,” the Customs and Excise Department said.