Zhuhai’s Gongbei Customs announced on Friday that a local woman attempted to smuggle 273 seahorses to the Chinese mainland via the Barrier Gate checkpoint from Macau.
Customs officers identified the smuggler as a local woman surnamed Ieong. She was intercepted by the officers while entering Zhuhai through the Gongbei checkpoint’s “Green Channel.” Officers noted her nervous demeanour and unnatural gait, suggesting an attempt to evade inspection. Upon further examination, her backpack was found to contain 273 dried seahorses, the statement said.
The statement said that all genera of seahorses are protected under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and classified as the Chinese mainland’s Category II protected wildlife.
In the statement, Gongbei Customs reminded the public that according to CITES and the Wildlife Protection Law of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), 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, pixelated handout photo provided by the Zhuhai Gongbei Customs on Friday shows the local smuggler pointing at 273 dried seahorses seized by customs officers at Zhuhai’s Gongbei border checkpoint last week.
