Editorial | Hong Kong’s efforts are having an impact against wildlife smuggling
Authorities deserve praise for their work but more must be done amid a global rise in the number of cases
The Customs and Excise Department was recognised last month with an “impact” award from the United Nations Environment Programme for its role in the jailing of a 37-year-old man in September. He is serving a 40-month term over a live 2022 coral smuggling case involving about HK$6.7 million (US$862,000) in crime proceeds. The city’s first money-laundering conviction involving such trafficking set a landmark precedent for customs to invoke the Organised and Serious Crimes Ordinance. A 2021 legal amendment opened doors for the ordinance to be used in wildlife trafficking cases.
Authorities received more powers to freeze assets and apply harsher penalties. Previously, prosecutions were mostly under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance. However, money-laundering investigations can be complex and take years. Officials enlisted accountants to analyse cash flows in the recent case.
It is a sorely needed stronger deterrent. Customs data showed that 438 cases with goods worth HK$65 million were uncovered in the first three quarters of 2025, compared with 358 involving animals and other items worth HK$92 million in the same period last year. The number of cases also increased by 10.4 per cent between 2023 and 2024. A rising number of cases involved the use of air, land and sea cargo or air parcels.
The department has pledged to ramp up the detection of the illicit flow of funds in large-scale wildlife smuggling cases. The city’s busy port and gateway to mainland China have long been a draw for smugglers hoping to pull the wool over the eyes of inspectors.
If new customs enforcement powers can result in many successful prosecutions, even sophisticated trafficking gangs will get a clear message: Hong Kong will not turn a blind eye to wildlife smuggling.