Customs officers have arrested four Mainlanders and seized $210,300 worth of unmanifested freshwater fish, turtles and tortoises.

A local fishing vessel arriving from Guishan, Guangdong, was stopped at 9.45pm yesterday south of Hong Kong International Airport. About 4,250kg of freshwater fish, 173kg of grass turtles and 207kg of alligator tortoises with an estimated value of $210,300 were seized. The consignment is believed to have been intended for local consumption.

The 38-year-old vessel master failed to produce any manifest, and the consignment did not bear a valid health certificate. He and three crew, aged 23 to 49, were arrested and will be charged under the Import & Export Ordinance.