Hong Kong Customs, on September 25, detected a smuggling case of suspected scheduled agarwood at the Tuen Mun River Trade Terminal and seized about 1 tonne of suspected scheduled agarwood with an estimated market value of about $18 million.
Through risk assessment, Customs on that day selected for inspection a 20-foot container arriving in Hong Kong from Nansha, Guangdong. Upon examination, Customs officers found the batch of suspected scheduled agarwood therein.
In the operation, Customs arrested a 35-year-old woman suspected to be connected with the case.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to closely co-operate with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to combat cross-boundary smuggling of endangered species.
Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).
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