Authorities seized nearly half a ton of smuggled seahorses in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong customs officials have discovered and seized 494 kg of dried seahorses contained in three containers originating from Peru. The total value of the shipment is estimated at US$1 million.

Seahorse specimens were hidden in containers.

According to the initial declaration by the consignee, two of the three containers, labeled "salted skins," departed from Paita (Peru) on January 15th. However, Hong Kong Customs officers used scanners and discovered foreign objects concealed within the containers, hidden under sheets of skin. A direct inspection of the shipment revealed 322 kg of dried seahorses in six plastic bags, intended to evade customs inspection.

Subsequently, on January 16th, Hong Kong Customs discovered 172 kg of dried seahorses in three plastic bags inside a container originating from Calcao (Peru). All of the aforementioned seahorses were undeclared to Customs and were confiscated to aid in the investigation of the perpetrators.

The container was discovered in Hong Kong.

Seahorse species are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Animals and Plants (CITES), and the trade in seahorses is restricted due to the potential impact on their survival in the wild.

According to Hong Kong's Export and Import Act, the maximum penalty for failing to declare the origin of imported goods is a fine of US$1 million and seven years imprisonment.

According to NDĐT