XN000022-1995-08-04 — Page 15

-

14

—

"We hope that the higher fines imposed recently by magistrates on people trading or possessing in endangered species, whether alive, in specimen or medicine form, could serve a deterrent effect," he said.

Mr Chan took the opportunity to call on members of the public to refrain from buying medicines containing or claiming to contain tiger or rhino ingredients as it would encourage traders taking in more such endangered species goods. He also urged the public to report illegal trade or possession of endangered species to AFD by calling 2733 2144.

On the two cases, he said AFD field officers had conducted searches on two separate shops in Tsuen Wan and Aberdeen respectively in January following tip-off and subsequent investigations.

Two bottles of medicines claiming to contain tiger bone and rhino horn were seized from the Tsuen Wan shop, while three bottles of claimed tiger medicines had been taken away from the Aberdeen premises.

19.

Summonses were later served on the operators of the shops.

The Tsuen Wan shop was fined $40,000 by the Tsuen Wan Magistracy on July

In the second case, the 39-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined $20,000 by the Western Magistracy on August 1.

End/Friday, August 4, 1995

Hong Kong Monetary Authority money market operations

Cumulative

Time

change

$ million

(hours)

($million)

Opening balance in the account

1,861

0930

+488

Closing balance in the account

2,301

1000

+484

Change attributable to:

1100

+484

Money market activity

+475

1200

+475

LAF today

-35

1500

+475

1600

+475

LAF rate 4.25% bid/6.25% offer TWI 119.6 *+0.0* 4.8.95