XN000022-1995-11-10 — Page 13

-

12 -

Heavy penalties for trading in tiger/rhino medicines

Trading in medicines containing or claiming to contain ingredients of highly endangered species, including tiger and rhino, without a licence could face very heavy penalties if convicted by the court.

The reminder was issued by an Agriculture and Fisheries Department's (AFD) conservation officer, Mr Cheung Chi-sun, after a trader was fined $500,000 at the Western Magistracy this (Friday) morning for possessing medicines claiming to contain tiger ingredients.

Mr Cheung pointed out that under the Animals and Plants (Protection of Endangered Species) Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing, exporting or in possession of a highly endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum penalty of $5 million fine and two years' imprisonment.

The control covers a wide variety of endangered species, including their parts, derivatives and medicines containing or claiming to contain tiger and rhino ingredients.

This morning's fine is the heaviest a Hong Kong court has ever handed down to a defendant convicted under the ordinance.

"It shows that the court is also taking a serious view of such offences. We hope that the heavy fine could serve an effective deterrent with a view to contributing to the conservation of wildlife," he said.

Mr Cheung 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 stimulate the demand.

He also urged the public to report any illegal activities on endangered species to AFD by calling 2733 2144.

Turning back to the case, he said following a tip-off, AFD field officers raided a medicinal shop in Wing Lok Street, Central, in May.

A total of 160 small packets of traditional medicines, all claiming to contain tiger ingredients, were seized.

The case was first heard a month ago at the Western Magistracy where the 46- year-old shop owner pleaded not guilty. The defendant, however, changed his plea to guilty this morning and was convicted by the court.