2020/09/10
Skip to content
Press Releases

Press Releases

Man jailed for illegally possessing ivory
Thursday, September 10, 2020

A 44-year-old man who illegally possessed ivory was convicted for violating the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance (the Ordinance), and was sentenced to imprisonment today (September 10).

A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said that on September 23 last year, AFCD staff found 20 kilograms of worked ivory and a 35kg raw tusk in a man's unit of a To Kwa Wan industrial building while the premises was not issued with any Licence to Possess.

Subsequent to follow-up investigations, the AFCD charged the man with illegal possession of listed species in Appendix I to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). He was convicted at the District Court today. With 36 months' imprisonment as the starting point for sentencing, the defendant was sentenced to 24 months behind bars today after a one-third reduction as he pleaded guilty.

Ivory is listed in Appendix I to the CITES and regulated under the Ordinance in Hong Kong. According to the Ordinance, a Licence to Possess is needed for the possession of ivory (except antique ivory) for commercial purposes. Any person importing, exporting or possessing specimens of endangered species not in accordance with the Ordinance will be liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years. The specimens will also be forfeited upon conviction.

To enquire about the control of endangered species or to report suspected irregularities, the public can call the AFCD on 1823 or visit www.cites.hk.

 

A man who illegally possessed ivory was convicted for violating the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, and was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment today (September 10). Photo shows some of the worked ivory found by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department staff.
A man who illegally possessed ivory was convicted for violating the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, and was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment today (September 10). Photo shows some of the worked ivory found by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department staff.

 

A man who illegally possessed ivory was convicted for violating the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, and was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment today (September 10). Photo shows the worked ivory and a raw tusk found by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department staff.
A man who illegally possessed ivory was convicted for violating the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, and was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment today (September 10). Photo shows the worked ivory and a raw tusk found by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department staff.

 

A man who illegally possessed ivory was convicted for violating the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, and was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment today (September 10). Photo shows some of the worked ivory found by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department staff.
A man who illegally possessed ivory was convicted for violating the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, and was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment today (September 10). Photo shows some of the worked ivory found by Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department staff.


Ends