XN000022-1996-05-29 — Page 13

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Trader heavily fined for possessing controlled medicines

Chinese medicine traders are today (Wednesday) reminded that trading in medicines containing or claiming to contain ingredients of endangered species without a licence could result in very heavy penalties if convicted by the courts.

The warning was issued by an Agriculture and Fisheries Department's (AFD) conservation officer, Mr Cheung Chi-sun, after a trader was convicted on Monday (May 27) and fined $425,000 for possessing medicines claiming to contain rhino and tiger ingredients, bear gall bladder powder, musk grain, pangolin scale and sea turtle scale.

Mr Cheung said 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 for commercial purpose 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 or rhino ingredients. The case came to light during a raid by AFD officers at two branches of a medicine shop in Wan Chai last September.

More than 85 packets of controlled medicines claiming to contain ingredients of rhino and tiger and some other endangered species specimens were seized.

The case was heard in the Eastern Magistracy on May 27 where the shop-owner pleaded guilty to possessing controlled medicine without licence. He was fined $425,000.

While hoping that heavy fines could serve an effective deterrent, Mr Cheung called on members of the public to refrain from buying highly endangered species and medicines containing or claiming to contain ingredients of rhino and tiger as possession of such items without a licence for personal use was already an offence.

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

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