2 more tree poachers arrested near the YSW Fire Station!

Speaking notes from yesterday's press briefing in Aberdeen Marine Police:

Speaking Notes : Theft of Aquilaria Sisensis (Incense Tree)
Reference: CCDIV RN 160000543

Presented by:
Mr. LAW Ka-hong, Superintendent of Police, Marine South Divisional Commander
Mr. LEE Tin-wai, Inspector, Officer-in-charge, Task Force Sub-unit Marine South Division
Ms. KWAN Wai-kwan, Woman Senior Inspector, Officer-in-charge Lamma & Peng Chau

Acting on intelligence, Marine South Division Task Force Sub-unit and Cheung Chau Division had conducted the Joint Anti-Illegal Tree Poaching Operation on Lamma Island over past few days.

At 1100 hours on 2016-01-21, officers of Marine South Division Task Force Sub-unit ambushed in the hillside at the South of Lamma Fire Station, Lamma Island and two males were seen engaging in the suspected incense tree trunk cutting activities. These males were intercepted at scene and outside Lamma Fire Station respectively. After investigation, these two males were all Chinese Two-way entry permit holders. A total of 609 grammes incense tree wood was found inside the rucksack of one of the males. Some cutting equipment and copped sections of incense trees were found at scene as well. The two males were thus arrested for “Theft”.

It is believed that the culprits made use of the remoteness of the subject location, which is a graveyard, to possess those already copped incense trees.

The case is now being investigated by Regional Crime Unit 2, Marine Region, all arrested persons are detained for further investigation.

沉香為傳統名貴中藥，大多取自生長於亞洲熱帶地方的沉香樹。生長於本地的是沉香屬的另一品種，稱為 “土沉香 ”，其樹脂可作為沉香的代用品。土沉香廣泛分布全港，大多生長於低地常綠闊葉林或鄉村後方的風水林中，漁農自然護理署 (“漁護署 ”)未有統計全港土沉香的數量。

"Chen Xiang" is a valuable traditional Chinese medicine, derived mostly from incense trees growing in the Asian tropics. The Incense Tree growing in Hong Kong belongs to another species of the genus Aquilaria. It produces a resin that has been used as a substitute of "Cheng Xiang". The native Incense Tree is widely distributed in Hong Kong, and mostly found in lowland broadleaf forests or in fung shui woods behind rural villages. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) does not maintain a record of the population of Incense Trees in Hong Kong.

根據香港法例第 96章《林區及郊區條例》，任何人士非法在 政 府 土 地 上 砍 伐 或 摧 毀 樹 木 或 生 長 中 的 植 物 ， 一 經 定
罪 ， 可 處 罰 款 25,000元 及 監 禁 1 年 。 警 方 亦 會 因 應 個 案 情案人士作出檢控，以收阻嚇之效。被捕者若被控以盜竊罪，
最高刑罰是監禁 10年。

Under the Forests and Countryside Ordinance (Cap. 96), any person who unlawfully fells or destroys any trees or growing plants on Government land is liable on conviction to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for one year. Depending on the circumstances of individual cases, the Police may initiate prosecutions under the Theft Ordinance (Cap. 210), which imposes a heavier penalty, in a bid to achieve a stronger deterrent effect. Any person arrested and charged with theft is liable to a maximum penalty of imprisonment for ten years.

現時警方主要以盜竊罪、刑事損壞、管有攻擊性武器、外出時備有偷竊用的物品等刑事罪行，對涉及砍伐土沉香的犯 案 人 士 作 出 檢 控 ， 並 會 在 適 當 時 根 據 香 港 法 例 第 455 章《有組織及嚴重罪行條例》向法庭申請加刑。

Currently, offenders involved in illegal felling of Incense Tree were mainly prosecuted for criminal offences on theft, criminal damage, possession of offensive weapon, going equipped for stealing, etc. and, where appropriate, the Police may apply for an enhancement of sentence under the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 455).

過去有人先在土沉香樹樹幹進行破壞，待它分泌樹脂，然後再回來採摘。但是，最近種種跡象顯示，這種做法可能已經改變。原因是他們可能知悉我們會加強巡查這些地方，增加他們非法砍伐的難度。所以，他們現在可能已改變手法，只是前往種有土沉香樹的地方，發現土沉香樹正在自然分泌樹脂時，便直接砍伐，不會再預先砍伐，分兩次行動。所以，他們知道我們增加巡查後，行動起來便更加迅速和有組織。

In the past, some people first make cuts on the trunk of incense trees and then return later to collect the secreted resin. However, recently there are signs that such practice has been changed. The offenders are probably aware that we have stepped up the patrols, which will make the illegal felling more difficult. Hence, they have changed their practice. They will go to the places where the incense trees are planted, and when they find the resin secreting naturally from the trees, they will fell the trees directly. They will not take two steps to cut the incense trees and collect the resin. Therefore, after learning our enhanced patrol, their illegal tree-felling activities have been conducted swiftly and in a more organized manner.

Police Appeal警方呼籲

我們呼籲相關人士，包括村民或郊遊人士，如果發現可疑人士，請在適當情況下向警方舉報，這是有效的方法。

We encourage everyone concerned, including villagers and hikers, to report to the police of suspected cases of illegal tree-felling where appropriate. That would also be an effective way of combating such illegal activities.

Tools of the poaching trade, see below.
More photos at https://www.facebook.com/Lamma.Gung/pos ... 1587328149

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Click here for Lamma-zine stories and recent Lamma Spotlights of the Week:
Photo, Video, Person, Wildlife, Bird, Artwork.