When they were seized, the five rhino horns were declared to be “resin crafts”. Photo: Customs and Excise Department

Pretty crafty: rhino horns worth HK$2 million and seized by Hong Kong customs looked like artwork

Five colourfully decorated items mailed from South Africa lead to local arrest

Published: 5:59pm, 17 May 2016

Five suspected rhino horns weighing about 10 kilograms total have been seized at Hong Kong International Airport, leading to the arrest of a 61-year-old man, the Customs and Excise Department said on Tuesday.

The haul worth an estimated street value of HK$2 million was confiscated after it arrived at the airport in an express air parcel from South Africa, according to the department.

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Customs officials said the parcel declared to contain “resin crafts” was selected for inspection on Saturday.

“Suspicious images of the cargo were found under X-ray inspection,” the department said. “After opening the consignment, customs officers found the suspected rhino horns.”

The five unadorned rhino horns. Photo: Customs and Excise Department

The suspect was arrested on Monday. He was released on bail pending further investigation.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing an endangered species without a licence faces a maximum penalty of a HK$5 million fine and two years in jail.

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