Hong Kong customs seizes HK$6.4 million worth of dried shark fins from shipping container possibly intended for mainland China
- Customs officials say vessel intercepted in city’s northwestern waters at 12.10am on Tuesday
- The 1.2-tonne haul was found mixed with other goods, such as electronic products, dried seafood and household items
Hong Kong customs officers have seized a HK$6.4 million (US$817,664) haul of dried shark fins from protected species hidden inside a shipping container believed to have been destined for mainland China.
Inspector Shirley Woo Suet-yi of the customs syndicate crimes investigation bureau on Thursday said the 1.2-tonne (1.3 ton) shipment was possibly on its way to Macau before being smuggled to the mainland.
Officers intercepted the vessel in the city’s northwestern waters at 12.10am on Tuesday, the Customs and Excise Department said. The ship had six mainland Chinese crew members on board.
Inspector Chan King-fung of the customs ports and maritime command said the vessel was escorted to the River Trade Terminal in Tuen Mun for inspection.
“The suspected scheduled shark fins were found mixed with declared goods such as electronic products, dried seafood and household items in one of the containers aboard the vessel,” he added.
He said the boxes of shark fins, placed on top of three pallets, were positioned at the far end of the container in an attempt to avoid detection.
Chan said officers confiscated the shark fins as the crew members were unable to supply an export permit.
Woo said samples of the seized shark fins were tested by staff from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, which confirmed they were from endangered species.
Hong Kong customs nets HK$4 million haul including aquarium animals
She said an investigation into the origin of the shark fins and the final destination of the haul was still under way. No arrests have been made so far.
“We don’t rule out the possibility that the haul would have been smuggled into the mainland after reaching Macau,” Woo added.
The importation, export or possession of endangered species without a licence is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a HK$10 million fine in Hong Kong.
Woo said that customs would continue to use a risk assessment approach, gather intelligence and spare no effort to combat smuggling.
