Hong Kong woman arrested over smuggling 7 animals at border checkpoint

Woman had chinchilla, mouse, hamster, three guinea pigs and sugar glider hidden in paper bags

Hong Kong customs has arrested a woman on suspicion of trying to smuggle seven animals worth about HK$4,300 (HK$549), including a sugar glider and a chinchilla, into the city.

A Customs and Excise Department spokesman said on Sunday that officers intercepted the 46-year-old traveller at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line checkpoint the day before, seizing the animals from paper bags she carried.

“Customs reminds the public that importing animals into Hong Kong without a valid permit is an offence,” the spokesman said.

The seven animals were a chinchilla, a mouse, a hamster, three guinea pigs and a sugar glider, which is a small possum.

The animals were estimated to have a market value of about HK$4,300.

The woman was arrested and the case has been referred to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) for further investigation.