Surge in number of endangered wildlife products seized by Hong Kong customs
Smugglers were caught disguising pangolin scales as potato chips, concealing ivory in computer cases and even wrapping live turtles in socks before hiding them in luggage
Hong Kong customs officers have seized HK$120 million in illegal endangered wildlife products, such as ivory and rhino horn, in the first eight months of this year – a 62 per cent jump compared with the same period in 2016.
Out of 292 cases in total, 84 involved smuggling by passengers arriving at Hong Kong International Airport, compared with just 37 similar cases in the first eight month of last year. The value of endangered species products smuggled by visitors to the city reached HK$12.31 million – a more than six-fold jump.
The number of seized incoming air packages also climbed by 36 percentage points to 87.
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Officers found smugglers disguising pangolin scales as potato chips, concealing ivory in computer cases and even wrapping live turtles in socks before hiding them in luggage or in boxes.
Louise Ho Pui-shan, assistant commissioner of the Customs and Excise Department, said traffickers had recently turned from smuggling bulky items via sea to bringing in protected species bit by bit in air parcels or by using air passengers to minimise risk.
“Online shopping and e-commerce has been widely developed. The number of parcels entering and leaving Hong Kong is enormous. Culprits therefore made good use of such means to smuggle endangered species,” Ho said.
“Court sentences have been heavy. Traffickers saw the risks, which prompted them to smuggle small quantities each time to reduce loss and avoid being caught.”