Customs seized HK$18 million worth of fish air bladders

Hong Kong Customs seized about HK$18 million worth of suspected scheduled fresh totoaba fish maws at the Hong Kong International Airport on Tuesday.

This is the second seizure of more than 100 kilograms of fresh totoaba fish maws, making a total seizure of more than 274 kilograms worth about $44 million so far this year.

The fish maws were found at mix-loading with frozen squid in nine styrofoam boxes and weighed over 11o kilograms.

A 39-year-old man was later arrested in an industrial building unit in Fanling.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.