Zhuhai’s Gongbei Customs announced in a statement on Friday that its officers seized 96 hermit crabs from a mainlander.
According to the statement, at 6 p.m. on August 19, customs officers at the Gongbei border checkpoint noticed the smuggler entering the Chinese mainland from Macau through the “Green Channel” in the passenger inspection hall. As his shopping bag had not been X-rayed, they decided to intercept him for inspection.
The inspection revealed 96 live hermit crabs in mesh bags concealed within the smuggler’s shopping bag.
According to the identification results from the Technical Centre of Gongbei Customs, all the live hermit crabs were Coenobita rugosus (commonly known as Rugose Land Hermit Crabs or Strawberry Hermit Crabs).
In the statement, Gongbei Customs reminded the public that, in accordance with laws and regulations, bringing live animals and plants into the Chinese mainland without approval is prohibited. Those who violate these provisions will be held legally responsible by Customs.
This undated and pixelated handout photo provided by Zhuhai Gongbei Customs on Friday shows 96 hermit crabs seized from a Chinese mainland smuggler on August 19.
