HONG KONG: Hong Kong Customs seized about 16 kilograms of suspected cut ivory worth about $160,000 and arrested an incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport today.
Customs officers intercepted a suspicious male passenger at the airport this morning. The 26-year-old man arrived in Hong Kong from Abuja, Nigeria, via Dubai, United Arab Emirates. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found about 15kg of suspected cut ivory concealed in a tailor-made vest and a pair of underpants inside his check-in luggage and 1kg of suspected cut ivory in his hand luggage.
The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.
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 $5 million and imprisonment for two years.
