Customs officers arrested a 71-year-old local man and a 66-year-old local woman in two suspected illegal live-insect import cases at Lo Wu Control Point. The cases have been referred to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.
On 5 September, officers intercepted the man in the arrival hall and found 200 live crickets in his personal luggage. The insects were estimated to be worth about HK$2,000.
The following day, officers intercepted the woman in the same arrival hall and found 13kg of live dubia cockroaches in her personal luggage. The insects were estimated to be worth about HK$3,900.
Customs said importing plant pests, or plants infected or infested by such pests, without prior authorisation from the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation is an offence. On conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of HK$10,000 and six months’ imprisonment; this does not indicate an outcome in these cases.
The two cases involved 200 crickets and 13kg of dubia cockroaches, with a combined estimated value of about HK$5,900. They remain under investigation by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, and no further outcome for the two arrested people was given.