Rare macaws confiscated in first seizure of live birds in Hong Kong for a decade
Smugglers escape in speedboat, leaving haul of endangered species and 14 boxes of furs worth a total of HK$2 million
Forty-six endangered macaws were confiscated along with 24 magpie robins and 14 boxes of furs in an anti-smuggling operation on Lantau Island.
The consignment worth HK$2 million was the first such seizure of live birds in the city in a decade, according to a police source with knowledge of the operation.
Marine police and customs officers launched the raid on Monday night as the goods were being loaded on to a Shenzhen-bound speedboat.
It is understood a macaw is worth about HK$10,000 in Hong Kong. “But they can be sold for between HK$20,000 and HK$30,000 each on mainland China,” the source said. “A rare species could be sold for as much as US$20,000.”
He believed the macaws were imported into the city legitimately but were being exported illegally to escape stringent restrictions imposed by mainland authorities.
As officers swooped into action, the four men abandoned the goods and jumped on board the speedboat which sped away
The Customs and Excise Department is following up the case.
At about 7.30pm on Monday, a delivery van pulled over on the Sham Shui Kok Drive waterfront on Lantau and boxes of goods were unloaded from the vehicle.
Shortly after the vehicle was driven away, a speedboat with a coxswain on board arrived and berthed at the waterfront. Four men appeared and started to load the goods on to the speedboat.
“As officers swooped into action, the four men abandoned the goods and jumped on board the speedboat which sped away,” another source said.
He said two police pursuit craft gave chase but the single-engine speedboat outran them as it headed towards the mainland. No one was arrested in the operation.
Police said the furs were worth about HK$1.5 million.
Anyone found importing or exporting an endangered species faces a maximum penalty of a HK$5 million fine and two years’ jail.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, anyone found exporting undeclared cargo is liable to a HK$2 million fine and seven years’ imprisonment.
