XN000022-1995-05-09 — Page 26

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Suspected tiger medicines seized

The Agriculture and Fisheries Department (AFD) seized a large quantity of Chinese medicines claiming to have contain tiger ingredients during an operation on Hong Kong island yesterday (Monday).

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Acting on information, AFD officers conducted a search on a Wan Chai Chinese medicine trading company yesterday morning and seized a total of 841 small packets of medicines claiming to contain tiger ingredients.

The medicines, consisting of two types, are estimated to be valued over $400,000.

Investigations are still continuing.

An AFD senior conservation officer, Mr Chan Jee-keung said yesterday's raid was one of the many operations conducted by the department aimed at enforcing the related legislation to protect endangered species.

During the first three months of this year, some 70 Chinese medicinal shops were searched by AFD resulting in the seizure of endangered items from 56 of them. Mr Chan said.

"Seized specimens in these operations included claimed rhino and tiger parts, medicines claiming to contain rhino or tiger ingredients, claimed or suspected bear gall bladders and bear bile powder as well as other endangered species items," he said.

In the same period, some 72 prosecutions were made under the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance resulting in a total fine of $230,000.

In a related development, Customs and Excise officers early this morning seized a total of 35 kg of ivory, illegally imported into Hong Kong. The seizure was made on board a cargo ship from Macau. The seized items, valued at about $200,000, have been handed over to AFD for follow-up investigations.

Mr Chan also took the opportunity to remind traders and members of the community that the maximum penalty under this ordinance had been substantially increased since mid-January this year.

If offences involve highly endangered species such as tiger, rhino and some species of bear, or their parts and derivatives, for commercial purpose, the maximum penalty is $5 million fine plus two years' imprisonment.

End/Tuesday, May 9, 1995