BREAKING ASIA NEWS's post: Hong Kong Adds Wildlife Trafficking to Organized Crime Law Hong Kong passed a new law on Wednesday that classifies wildlife ...

Hong Kong Adds Wildlife Trafficking to Organized Crime Law Hong Kong passed a new law on Wednesday that classifies wildlife trafficking as an issue, a move welcomed by conservationists because it will give law enforcement wider powers to combat the trade. With its busy port and transport links, Hong Kong has been thriving as a major transit point for illegal parts of like elephants, rhinos and -- most of it headed for consumers in mainland . On Wednesday lawmakers added illicit to the city's Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance, putting the trade on a par with drug and . The law, initially designed to combat the city's triad organized crime , contains wide investigatory powers for the police and heavier sentences for those convicted. Courts also have broader powers to confiscate the proceeds of organized crime. Wildlife seizures have reached new peaks in the past two years, including a record 8.3 tons of as well as 2.1 tons of , according to a legislative filing. The largest seizure of rhino horn -- 82.5 kilograms -- was made in 2019 at the airport. But arrests of those who really benefit from the lucrative trade are rare. A university study released last year found no wildlife traffickers have ever been prosecuted for related offenses and no syndicates indicted for wildlife smuggling. more @BreakingAsia