Shark fins hiding among dry fish
One week ago, on 15 January 2024, Hong Kong Customs seized about 800 kg of suspected scheduled shark fins, with an estimated market value of about HKD 4 million (USD 500,000), at Hong Kong airport.
Upon inspection of an air consignment, declared as dry fish arriving from Dubai at an air cargo terminal, customs officers found the shark fins inside 25 carton boxes among the other goods. The following day, a director of the consignee company suspected to be involved in the case was arrested and then released on bail pending further investigation.
Under the "protection of endangered species of animals and plants ordinance", any person in Hong Kong found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of HKD 10 million (USD 1.275 million) and imprisonment for ten years. (ah)