Toh Ting Wei Straits Times 13 Oct 18;
SINGAPORE - Twenty-two cases of smuggled marine turtle eggs have been detected at the checkpoints since April, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said on Saturday (Oct 13).
AVA said in a Facebook post that in these cases, the marine turtle eggs were meant for personal consumption.
Enforcement actions have been taken against the offenders, the authority said.
The eggs were packaged as snacks and were concealed in the baggage of travellers.
Officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority detected the cases and referred them to AVA for investigation.
All marine turtles are endangered species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, to which Singapore is a party of, AVA said.
Those convicted of importing, exporting, selling and displaying to the public any turtle-related parts and derivatives can be fined up to $500,000 and jailed for up to two years. They will also have to forfeit the animals and items, AVA added.
Members of the public with information on illegal wildlife trade can contact AVA on 6805-2992 or provide feedback online through AVA's website. All information will be kept in strict confidence, said the authority.
22 cases of attempted marine turtle egg smuggling foiled since April: AVA
Channel NewsAsia 13 Oct 18;
SINGAPORE: The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority has detected 22 cases of travellers trying to smuggle marine turtle eggs into Singapore since April this year, said the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) in a Facebook post on Saturday (Oct 13).
"The marine turtle eggs were packaged as snacks and concealed within the baggage of travellers. The cases were referred to AVA for investigation," AVA said.
AVA found that the marine turtle eggs were meant for personal consumption and "took enforcement actions" against the offenders.
Sea turtles are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The import, export, sale and display of their parts and derivatives, such as turtle eggs, are prohibited under the Singapore Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act.
If found guilty, offenders may be fined up to S$500,000 and/or jailed for two years.
Anyone with information on illegal wildlife trade can contact AVA at 6805 2992 or provide information through the online feedback form on AVA's website.
Source: CNA/na(hm)
