{"id":476,"date":"2017-07-07T14:24:40","date_gmt":"2017-07-07T06:24:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/2017\/07\/07\/hong-kong-seizes-largest-ivory-haul-in-30-years\/"},"modified":"2017-07-07T14:24:40","modified_gmt":"2017-07-07T06:24:40","slug":"hong-kong-seizes-largest-ivory-haul-in-30-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/hong-kong-seizes-largest-ivory-haul-in-30-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Hong Kong Seizes Largest Ivory Haul In 30 Years"},"content":{"rendered":"<blockquote><p>Hong Kong customs officers \u00adarrested a man and two women after making the biggest ivory bust in 30 years, seizing 7.2 tonnes of tusks with an estimated street \u00advalue of HK$72 million.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Hong Kong customs officers \u00adarrested a man and two women after making the biggest ivory bust in 30 years, seizing 7.2 tonnes of tusks with an estimated street \u00advalue of HK$72 million.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"> <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"1.JPG\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FiZ14gPo4ohQf6mT83Ydcg2iy-CL?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/hong-kong-seizes-largest-ivory-haul-in-30-years\/#Photo_SCMP\" title=\"Photo:SCMP\">Photo:SCMP<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/hong-kong-seizes-largest-ivory-haul-in-30-years\/#A_general_view_of_the_port_of_Hong_Kong_The_72_ton_haul_found_in_Hong_Kong_was_hidden_underneath_frozen_fish_in_a_40_ton_container_Photo_Dailymail\" title=\"A general view of the port of Hong Kong. The 7.2 ton haul found in Hong Kong was hidden underneath frozen fish in a 40 ton container Photo:Dailymail\">A general view of the port of Hong Kong. The 7.2 ton haul found in Hong Kong was hidden underneath frozen fish in a 40 ton container Photo:Dailymail<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/hong-kong-seizes-largest-ivory-haul-in-30-years\/#Ivory_is_highly_sought-after_in_China_where_elephant_tusks_are_used_in_traditional_medicine_or_to_make_ornaments_Photo_Reuters\" title=\"Ivory is highly sought-after in China, where elephant tusks are used in traditional medicine or to make ornaments Photo:Reuters\">Ivory is highly sought-after in China, where elephant tusks are used in traditional medicine or to make ornaments Photo:Reuters<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/hong-kong-seizes-largest-ivory-haul-in-30-years\/#While_it_is_illegal_to_import_or_export_ivory_into_Hong_Kong_the_local_sale_of_ivory_on_the_island_is_not_illegal_Photo_AFPGetty_Images\" title=\"While it is illegal to import or export ivory into Hong Kong, the local sale of ivory on the island is not illegal Photo:AFP\/Getty Images\">While it is illegal to import or export ivory into Hong Kong, the local sale of ivory on the island is not illegal Photo:AFP\/Getty Images<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/hong-kong-seizes-largest-ivory-haul-in-30-years\/#Customs_officials_in_the_southern_Chinese_city_said_the_cargo_had_come_from_Malaysia_Photo_EPA\" title=\"Customs officials in the southern Chinese city said the cargo had come from Malaysia&nbsp;Photo:EPA\">Customs officials in the southern Chinese city said the cargo had come from Malaysia&nbsp;Photo:EPA<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/hong-kong-seizes-largest-ivory-haul-in-30-years\/#Photo_SCMP-2\" title=\"Photo:SCMP\">Photo:SCMP<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/hong-kong-seizes-largest-ivory-haul-in-30-years\/#Photo_SCMP-3\" title=\"Photo:SCMP\">Photo:SCMP<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Photo_SCMP\"><\/span>Photo:SCMP<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>The smuggling ring attempted to hide the illegal ivory tusks in a 40-foot refrigerated container from Malaysia and covered it up with frozen fish. It was first time customs had seen this method.<\/p>\n<p>The enormous haul is 1.5 times more than the total illicit ivory seized in the past 3.5 years combined, as customs officials netted 4,694kg of illegal ivory \u00adbetween 2014 and last month.<\/p>\n<p>The container, which was \u00addeclared to contain 7,000 kg of frozen fish in 1,000 cartons, arrived at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound in Kowloon on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"2.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FrNDr-7gIZPvEuSrdA01ULghxqqH?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" height=\"396\" width=\"634\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_general_view_of_the_port_of_Hong_Kong_The_72_ton_haul_found_in_Hong_Kong_was_hidden_underneath_frozen_fish_in_a_40_ton_container_Photo_Dailymail\"><\/span>A general view of the port of Hong Kong. The 7.2 ton haul found in Hong Kong was hidden underneath frozen fish in a 40 ton container Photo:Dailymail<br \/><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>Officers believed the shipment was suspicious as the declared goods only occupied half of the total volume and weight that a such as container could carry.<\/p>\n<p>Raymond Chan Wan-hung, head of the ports control group from the Customs and Excise \u00adDepartment said: \u201cAfter we \u00adremoved the frozen fish cartons, we found the illicit ivory \u00adconcealed in nylon bags.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Chan said it was the biggest seizure since records began.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"3.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/Fi21O76aqnrQIlGJr2dQqQKi-rmh?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" height=\"423\" width=\"634\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ivory_is_highly_sought-after_in_China_where_elephant_tusks_are_used_in_traditional_medicine_or_to_make_ornaments_Photo_Reuters\"><\/span>Ivory is highly sought-after in China, where elephant tusks are used in traditional medicine or to make ornaments Photo:Reuters<br \/><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>Head of the special investigation group, Simon Wan Hing-chuen, believed there was a big smuggling syndicate involved, given the large quantities of \u00adcontraband. Officers arrested a male proprietor and two female staff members of a trading company in Tuen Mun on Wednesday. The three are aged between 42 and 57 and believed to be core members of the syndicate.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe do not think that Hong Kong is the final destination. In this case, the tusks would probably be further exported to other nearby Southeast Asian countries,\u201d Wan said, adding that it was very common for smugglers to take advantage of the city\u2019s extensive logistics network.<\/p>\n<p>He did not rule out further \u00adarrests in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"44.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/Fg8-cppqZeOemimrDV5xDXX8-I7A?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" height=\"423\" width=\"634\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"While_it_is_illegal_to_import_or_export_ivory_into_Hong_Kong_the_local_sale_of_ivory_on_the_island_is_not_illegal_Photo_AFPGetty_Images\"><\/span>While it is illegal to import or export ivory into Hong Kong, the local sale of ivory on the island is not illegal Photo:AFP\/Getty Images<br \/><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>In Hong Kong, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of HK$5 million and imprisonment for two years.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis massive seizure once again shows that Hong Kong is a major hub for the illegal wildlife trade,\u201d Cheryl Lo, WWF-Hong Kong senior wildlife crime officer, said.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"55.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FvMuNiNugqFo14GgghJOCg36Cb4H?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" height=\"424\" width=\"634\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Customs_officials_in_the_southern_Chinese_city_said_the_cargo_had_come_from_Malaysia_Photo_EPA\"><\/span>Customs officials in the southern Chinese city said the cargo had come from Malaysia&nbsp;Photo:EPA<br \/><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>She noted that Hong Kong ranked fifth globally in terms of ivory contraband \u2013 with 33 tonnes seized between 2000 and 2013.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are calling on lawmakers to end this brutal trade as soon&nbsp;as possible. With over 20,000 \u00adelephants killed in Africa every year, there is no time to waste,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"6.png\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FoCsm7bnOYK160Adacal6iD2vPs_?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" height=\"287.53333333333336\" width=\"589\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Photo_SCMP-2\"><\/span>Photo:SCMP<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p>Lawmakers are set to start discussions today on a government bill aimed at phasing out the local ivory businesses by 2021.<\/p>\n<p>The city has been under international pressure to speed up the process.<\/p>\n<p>As of last year, there were reportedly 370 licence holders in Hong Kong, who had 70 tonnes of legal ivory.<\/p>\n<p>China, which has been the largest consumer, announced that it was banning all trade in ivory by the end of this year.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"7.png\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FiPiybdT0gISjzKlRRSNLKU_KaEE?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" height=\"2123\" width=\"640\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Photo_SCMP-3\"><\/span>Photo:SCMP<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<hr>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"GIC QR.jpg\" style=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/media.hiredchina.com\/FlXXlKXBxtykYAuKbjvAxKMwIbVH?imageView2\/0\/format\/webp\/q\/75\" height=\"488.9643463497453\" width=\"450\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Hong Kong customs officers \u00adarrested a man and two women after making the biggest ivory bust in 30 years, seizing 7.2 tonnes of tusks with an estimated street \u00advalue of &#8230;","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-476","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-funny"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=476"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=476"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=476"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hiredchina.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=476"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}