Press Releases
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Heavy penalty for illegal possession of endangered species The Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD) today (Tuesday) reminded members of the public that possessing highly endangered species without a licence may face heavy penalty. The appeal was made following a court case yesterday (Monday) in which a man was fined $20,000 and sentenced to two months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months for illegal possession of two Slow Lorises. An AFD spokesman said the case came to light on May 12 when AFD officers, acting on information, posed as interested buyers and raided a premises in To Kwa Wan, Kowloon. A 21-year-old man was found possessing two live Slow Lorises without a licence. The defendant pleaded guilty at the San Po Kong Magistracy yesterday. The spokesman said: "Under the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance, it is an offence to import, export or possess endangered species without a licence. "An offender is liable to a maximum fine of $5 million and two years' imprisonment upon conviction of illegal trading of highly endangered species. "The control covers a wide variety of endangered species, including their parts, derivatives as well as medicines containing or claiming to contain rhino or tiger ingredients." The spokesman also took the opportunity to urge members of the public to report any illegal activities on endangered species to AFD's Endangered Species Protection Section on 2733 2286/27332117. |
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