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Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
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Man arrested for smuggling 136 cats and dogs in 17 cages
A 30-year-old man was on Wednesday night arrested by marine police and customs after being caught smuggling a total of 136 cats and dogs into the city by sea from the west of Sha Chau.
The man was arrested for importing unmanifested cargo, cruelty to animals, endangering others' safety on seas and refusing to stop for inspection.
According to marine, officers spotted the suspicious speedboat around 11.50pm on Wednesday night as it entered Hong Kong waters from west of Sha Chau. Officers then informed boats patrolling nearby to inspect the speedboat, which swiftly took a U-turn heading back to mainland as officers approached.
A chase then began as officers from the small boat division tried to intercept the speedboat as it took multiple sudden turns in hopes of losing the cops.
Still, the speedboat was stopped on waters north-west of Black Point in Lau Fau Shan.
After investigation, officers seized 101 cats and 35 dogs of different species on the boat locked up in 17 cages, including one that was packed with 16 cats.
Police then contacted staff of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to calm the anxious animals. All animals now remain safe and sound after preliminary medical examinations. SPCA and officers from the Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Department are taking care of them.
Customs said the speedboat the man used to smuggle the animals was worth about HK$1.4 million. As for the animals, they belong to some expensive breeds.
Customs predicted that criminals planned to smuggle the animals into the city and sell them for HK$10,000 to HK$15,000 each. Officers also didn't rule out the possibility that theses animals were orders made via online shopping.
According to marine, officers spotted the suspicious speedboat around 11.50pm on Wednesday night as it entered Hong Kong waters from west of Sha Chau. Officers then informed boats patrolling nearby to inspect the speedboat, which swiftly took a U-turn heading back to mainland as officers approached.
A chase then began as officers from the small boat division tried to intercept the speedboat as it took multiple sudden turns in hopes of losing the cops.
Still, the speedboat was stopped on waters north-west of Black Point in Lau Fau Shan.
After investigation, officers seized 101 cats and 35 dogs of different species on the boat locked up in 17 cages, including one that was packed with 16 cats.
Police then contacted staff of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to calm the anxious animals. All animals now remain safe and sound after preliminary medical examinations. SPCA and officers from the Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Department are taking care of them.
Customs said the speedboat the man used to smuggle the animals was worth about HK$1.4 million. As for the animals, they belong to some expensive breeds.
Customs predicted that criminals planned to smuggle the animals into the city and sell them for HK$10,000 to HK$15,000 each. Officers also didn't rule out the possibility that theses animals were orders made via online shopping.
