Hong Kong Customs on January 3, seized a total of 779 ivory tusks from a 20-foot container shipped to Hong Kong. The seizure was worth about $10.6 million.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers selected a container declared to contain “architectural stones” arriving from Kenya, Africa, for inspection. Using X-ray examination, the officers found the ivory tusks, weighing 1,323 kilograms in total, in the middle part of the container. Covered by stone plates, the ivory tusks were packed in 40 sacks inside five wooden crates.
Customs investigation is still going on to locate the smuggling syndicate members.
The Group Head of Ports and Maritime Command, Mr Wong Sui-hang, said at a press briefing (4 January) that Hong Kong Customs would continue to co-operate with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and other law enforcement agencies to enforce the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance to deter the trafficking of endangered species.
Customs administrations around the globe have heightened their awareness in combating illegal trade in wildlife with a special focus on animals controlled by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora such as elephants and rhinoceroses from Africa. Hong Kong Customs participated in the World Customs Organization operation in 2012 and took vigorous enforcement actions against trafficking of endangered wildlife, Mr Wong added.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing unmanifested cargoes is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
In addition, under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of trading in endangered species for commercial purposes is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million and imprisonment for two years.
Hong Kong Customs seized a total of 779 ivory tusks from a 20-foot container shipped to Hong Kong. The ivory tusks, packed in 40 sacks and covered by stone plates inside five wooden crates in the middle of the container, were worth about $10.6 million.
Stone plates for covering the ivory tusks.
The ivory tusks were packed in sacks with plastic strips.
Reblogged this on World Wide Legal Action 4 Animal Rights.
GOOD ! I HOPE THAT EVERY SCUMBAG WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THIS CRUEL DISGUSTING BUISNESS PAYS SEVERELY FOR THIS CRIME. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND THESE POOR INNOCENT BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS NEED TO BE PROTECTED MORE !
When the scumbags are arrested and imprisoned then that will be good news…but as of now I haven’t heard much about catching these smugglers and that’s why this horrible crime continues. Two years is not enough for killing precious elephants…10 years is a much more suitable punishment.