The Macau Customs Service announced in a statement on Sunday that its officers seized 20 live terrapins, 95 kilograms of animal fur and 1.5 litres of Chinese “white liquor” between October 26-27
On October 26, customs officers at the Barrier Gate checkpoint intercepted a cross-border vehicle in the outbound lane based on an alert through the cross-border “risk management system” mechanism. An inspection revealed that the local driver attempted to smuggle 20 live terrapins and 95 kilograms of animal pelts into the mainland.
Customs officers at the Barrier Gate’s outbound passenger inspection hall noticed a male mainlander acting suspiciously last Monday. A follow-up inspection showed 1.5 litres of Chinese “white liquor” (白酒)) concealed within his personal belongings in an attempt to smuggle several bottles into the mainland.
The statement said that the Macau Customs Service will take legal action against the two smugglers pursuant to Macau’s External Trade Law. If convicted, they face a maximum fine of 100,000 patacas, and the seized goods will be declared property of the local government.
Meanwhile, one of the smugglers faces an additional charge for the suspected violation of the Law on the Implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The live animals and the animal products seized from the suspect have been transferred to the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) for handling.
Zhuhai Customs seizes 9.14 kg shark fin
Zhuhai’s Gongbei Customs announced in a statement on Saturday that its officers seized 9.14 kilograms of shark fin at Hengqin Port (checkpoint).
According to the statement, on September 25, customs officers at the checkpoint noticed anomalies during the X-ray scan of a traveller’s luggage. A follow-up inspection unearthed 160 shark fins weighing 9.14 kilograms.
The statement said that the Gongbei Customs Technology Centre identified the confiscated fins as those of Carcharhinus obscurus (Dusky Shark), Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos (Grey Reef Shark), Carcharhinus limbatus (Blacktip Shark), Carcharhinus altimus (Bignose Shark), and Carcharhinus plumbeus (Sandbar Shark), which are all covered as CITES Appendix II-listed species requiring international trade permits.
In the statement, Gongbei Customs reminded the public that according to CITES and the Chinese mainland’s Wildlife Protection Law, as well as the regulations on the import and export of endangered wild animals and plants, it is prohibited to trade, carry, or mail endangered species and their products across border checkpoints without legal import and export certificates. The statement noted that serious violations may lead to criminal liability.
This undated handout photo provided by the Macau Customs Service on Sunday shows the terrapins and animal pelts seized by its officers at the Barrier Gate checkpoint on October 26.
This undated handout photo provided by the Gongbei Customs last Tuesday shows shark fins seized by its officers at Hengqin Port (checkpoint) on October 2.
