Hong Kong Customs officers have seized about 150 tonnes of donkey skins and other goods, including shark fins, facial acupuncture products, and mobile phones, worth an estimated HK$200 million in total.
The seizures followed the detection of two suspected smuggling cases involving a river trade vessel and an ocean liner bound for Taiwan on October 3 and 7, respectively.
Senior Inspector Anthony Wong Ka-wai said that on October 3, a river trade vessel departing from Hong Kong for Macao was intercepted for inspection in waters off Black Point.
Five mainland crew members were on board. When officers requested the cargo manifest, the captain was only able to produce a crude document, raising suspicions that unmanifested cargo was being transported.
A subsequent inspection uncovered suspected smuggled goods — including controlled shark fins, cigars, mobile phones, and suspected pharmaceutical products — with an estimated value of over HK$13 million.
On October 7, Customs officers, in collaboration with the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau, examined five containers declared as frozen food that were scheduled for shipment to Taiwan.
X-ray images revealed irregular densities near the container doors, prompting further checks. Upon examination, officers discovered about 150 tonnes of donkey skins, valued at over HK$190 million.
Both cases remain under investigation, and Customs said the possibility of further arrests has not been ruled out.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, anyone convicted of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of HK$2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
In addition, any person found guilty of importing, exporting, or possessing endangered species without the required licence under the Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance faces a maximum fine of HK$10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.
