Hong Kong Customs seizes six suspected endangered turtles

HONG KONG -- Hong Kong Customs on Monday seized six live turtles of suspected scheduled endangered species at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point, with a total estimated market value of about 60,000 Hong Kong dollars (about $7,652).

The batch of turtles was found in a lorry intercepted by Customs. They were concealed in socks and mingled with clothes inside a carton box.

The turtles were handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government for follow-up action.

Under Hong Kong's Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the ordinance commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of 10 million Hong Kong dollars and face imprisonment for up to 10 years upon conviction.