Hong Kong customs seizes 760 suspected endangered reptiles worth HK$580,000

AdvertisementHong Kong societyHong KongLaw and CrimeHong Kong customs seizes 760 suspected endangered reptiles worth HK$580,000Customs and Excise Department finds 106 turtles and 654 lizards believed to be endangered species hidden in truck bound for mainland China 1-MIN READ1-MIN ListenLo Hoi-yingPublished: 5:42pm, 13 Apr 2026Updated: 5:44pm, 13 Apr 2026Hong Kong customs officers have arrested a male driver after intercepting a goods vehicle at the Shenzhen Bay checkpoint and finding 760 suspected endangered reptiles, with an estimated market value of about HK$580,000 (US$74,059), hidden inside. The Customs and Excise Department on Monday said it found 106 turtles and 654 lizards hidden in his truck, believed to be endangered species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Officers intercepted an outbound medium goods vehicle at the Shenzhen Bay control point last Wednesday and found irregularities in the truck’s undercarriage during an X-ray inspection. Advertisement“Twenty-six black bags were found concealed inside the chassis frame under the cargo compartment,” the department said in a statement. “Upon examination, the bags were found to contain live turtles and live lizards of suspected scheduled endangered species.” AdvertisementA 44-year-old male driver was arrested and later released on bail pending further investigations. AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x