Zhuhai’s Gongbei Customs announced in a statement on Friday that its officers seized 198 hermit crabs and 19 live geckos at Gongbei Port on September 17 and 11, respectively.
According to the statement, on September 17, customs officers at the checkpoint’s inspection hall noticed a mainland traveller carrying a backpack and appearing visibly uneasy as he entered the mainland through the “green channel”. Officers subsequently stopped him for inspection.
Upon searching the bag, the officers discovered a white mesh bag inside containing 198 live crabs. Subsequent identification by the Technical Centre of Gongbei Customs confirmed that all the animals were Ecuadorian land hermit crabs.
In its statement, Gongbei Customs reminded the public that under the Chinese mainland’s Biosecurity Law, importing alien species without approval is prohibited. Violators will be held legally accountable, and where an offence constitutes a crime, criminal liability will be pursued in accordance with the law.
Earlier, on September 11, customs officers at the inspection hall noticed a female traveller from Macau walking hurriedly and attempting to blend into the crowd while passing through the “green channel” into the mainland.
Upon further inspection, customs officers discovered seven white mesh bags inside her shoulder bag containing a total of 19 live geckos, all bright emerald green in colour. The Technical Centre of Gongbei Customs later identified the geckos as green basilisks (plumed basilisks). The statement noted that green basilisks are native mainly to Central America.
Gongbei Customs reminded the public that, under relevant laws and regulations, bringing live animals into the Chinese mainland without prior authorisation is strictly prohibited, and offenders will be prosecuted under the law.
This undated handout photo provided by Zhuhai’s Gongbei Customs on Friday shows hermit crabs seized by its officers at Gongbei Port (border checkpoint) on September 17.
This undated handout photo provided by the Zhuhai’s Gongbei Customs on Saturday shows 19 green basilisks seized by its officers at Gongbei Port on September 11.
