Visitors from Manila jailed for smuggling shark fins, seahorses

Three travellers from Manila who smuggled dried shark fins and dried seahorses and each of them were convicted and sentenced to 18 months' jail today. 

They were convicted at the District Court earlier.
They arrived in Hong Kong on August 23, 2019, from Manila, Philippines, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said.

Customs found about 48, 63 and 72 kilograms of dried fins from silky sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis) were respectively found in thir  check-in baggage.

Customs also found some 0.56 kilos of dried seahorses in the check-in baggage of one of them.

Silky sharks and seahorses are listed in Appendix II to the CITES and regulated under the Ordinance in Hong Kong. 

The three were charged with  violating the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance.