Customs Seize Record 40kg Rhino-horn Haul

Customs officials say they've seized a record haul of 40 kilograms of rhino horns with an estimated market value of about HK$8 million.

The goods were seized at the airport on Thursday morning after customs officers checked two cartons in checked-in luggage for two passengers from Johannesburg who were transferring to a flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Two men, aged 28 and 33, have been arrested. The case has been passed on to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for further investigation.

Charity WildAid, citing government figures, said the huge haul was equivalent to 20 per cent of the total seizures of rhino horn in the city in the five years to 2018.

Hong Kong greatly increased penalties for smuggling and illegal trading in endangered species in May last year. Penalties now include a fine of up to HK$10 million and 10 years in prison.

On February 8, two defendants were sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment by the District Court for smuggling about 24kg and 17kg of agarwood. It was the heaviest sentence handed down so far for illegal import of endangered species.