Zhuhai’s Gongbei Customs announced in a statement yesterday that its officers seized 1.8 kg of stony coral products at the Gongbei checkpoint on March 20.
Gongbei Customs identified the smuggler as a male from the Chinese mainland surnamed Wu.
According to the statement, on that day, customs officers at the checkpoint’s passenger inspection noticed his “unusual appearance” and “rigid gait” while he was entering the “green channel”.
Customs officers intercepted Wu for inspection, the statement said, adding that they found a batch of aquatic animal products in Wu’s backpack, weighing a total of 1.8 kg.
According to the statement, the products were identified by the Gongbei Customs Technical Centre as skeletal products of a species belonging to the order Scleractinia (aka stony corals). All species of the order Scleractinia are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and are classified as nationally protected wildlife at the second level.
Gongbei Customs reminded the public in a statement that carrying endangered species or their products across borders is prohibited without an official import-export certificate. Serious offences constituting a crime will result in criminal prosecution in accordance with the law
Macau Customs finds 63 kg of silver granules worth 1.16 million patacas
Meanwhile, the Macau Customs Service announced in a statement on Sunday that its officers busted 15 smuggling cases between April 24 and 29 at the Barrier Gate border checkpoint, seizing 63 kg of silver granules worth 1.16 million patacas.
According to the statement, customs officers at the Barrier Gate checkpoint’s exit hall separately noticed seven local residents, three Hong Kong residents and five mainlanders acting suspiciously.
Upon inspection, it was found that the individuals had concealed suspected silver pellets in various places, including daily necessities, beverage packaging, personal belongings, clothing, and even wrapped around their bodies, to smuggle them out of Macau, the statement said.
The age of the smugglers involved in the case ranges from 20 to 67, the statement said. The Macau Customs Service has initiated legal proceedings against them in accordance with the provisions of the External Trade Law. If the alleged violations are confirmed, they face a maximum fine of 50,000 patacas.
This undated handout photo provided by Zhuhai’s Gongbei Customs yesterday shows 1.8 kg of stony coral products seized by its officers at Gongbei checkpoint on March 20.
This undated handout photo provided by the Macau Customs Service on Sunday shows silver granules concealed in a beverage cup.
