Hong Kong Customs Seizes 200 Crickets, 13kg of Cockroaches at Lo Wu Border
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong customs officers have intercepted two travellers in separate cases at the Lo Wu border checkpoint for allegedly importing live insects commonly used as reptile feed . On Saturday, officers stopped a 71-year-old local man at the arrival hall and seized 200 crickets from his baggage, valued at about HK$2,000 (US$255) . The following day, officers intercepted a 66-year-old local woman at the same checkpoint carrying 13kg (28.6 lbs) of dubia roaches, worth about HK$3,900, in her baggage . Both individuals were arrested and the cases have been referred to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation . Cockroaches and crickets are commonly used to feed reptiles and other insect-eating pets .
Key Points
- A 71-year-old local man was arrested at Lo Wu on Saturday for carrying 200 crickets valued at approximately HK$2,000 (US$255)
- The following day, a 66-year-old local woman was apprehended at the same checkpoint with 13kg of dubia roaches worth HK$3,900
- Both seizures occurred at the arrival hall of the Lo Wu border checkpoint, Hong Kong's primary land crossing with mainland China
- The cases have been forwarded to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for further investigation
- Dubia roaches and crickets are popular choices for feeding reptiles and other insectivorous pets in the exotic pet trade
Why It Matters
The seizure highlights the enforcement of regulations governing the import of live organisms at Hong Kong's borders, which aim to prevent potential ecological and agricultural risks . For the exotic pet industry and reptile owners, this incident underscores the importance of complying with import procedures for commonly traded feeder insects .
The seizure highlights the enforcement of regulations governing the import of live organisms at Hong Kong's borders, which aim to prevent potential ecological and agricultural risks . For the exotic pet industry and reptile owners, this incident underscores the importance of complying with import procedures for commonly traded feeder insects .