Three arrested for allegedly smuggling rare turtles

Customs arrested three people after seizing more than 30 live endangered turtles with an estimated market value of about HK$330,000 at the airport.

The arrests were made on July 13 when officers examined three inbound parcels declared as containing cushions filled with polyester at the Air Mail Centre.

Upon inspection, officers found a total of 33 turtles wrapped in plastic and concealed in socks inside the postal packets.

Customs staff subsequently conducted controlled delivery operations and arrested three people who were alleged to be the packets' recipients.

The suspects have been released on bail pending further investigation.

Edited by Aaron Tam ...