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Customs foil an attempt to smuggle in endangered animals

Hundreds of live tortoises were found in two unclaimed suitcases at Chek Lap Kok airport, in the first seizure of endangered species smuggled in an air passenger's luggage, customs officials disclosed yesterday.

A customs officer who investigated the unclaimed luggage discovered 307  tortoises wrapped in newspapers and clothes,  divisional commander  Lam Ying-mou said.

'We don't normally find endangered animals like tortoises when we open suitcases and bags to check their contents,' he said. Smugglers normally send illicit shipments of animals by freight.

The India Star tortoises - worth about $307,000 - arrived on a flight from Kuala Lumpur on Monday. The owner of the suitcases arrived on Sunday. His luggage was probably delayed because of a tardy check-in, Mr Lam said.

Customs opened the suitcases when no one turned up to claim them.

The owner of the suitcases, a 30-year-old Malaysian-Chinese man, was arrested on Tuesday as he tried to board a return flight to Kuala Lumpur. It is not known whether he tried to reclaim the suitcases.

The tortoises were all found alive, despite the restricted space and poor ventilation in the suitcases. 'Tortoises are very durable animals,' Mr Lam said.

The case was turned over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) for  investigation when customs realised endangered animals were involved.

AFCD endangered species protection officer Phoebe Sze Wai-chung said  the reptiles were probably destined for pet shops. Indian Star tortoises can be sold legally if the appropriate licences have been acquired, she added.

Last year, the AFCD made 414 seizures involving endangered species, leading to 240 prosecutions.  'We do not see an upward trend in the  smuggling of endangered animals,' Ms Sze said.

Importing endangered species is an offence under the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance, carrying a maximum penalty of a $5 million fine and two years' imprisonment.



300 tortoises found in luggage at airport