False claim: Fake dried crocodile meat has been seized from three shops.

Two men and a woman, aged 43 to 51, have been arrested for selling fake crocodile meat.

Customs & Excise Department and Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department officers seized eight catties of the fake meat without valid export documents from two shops and 6.75 catties of dried meat from another shop on November 12.

The Consumer Council recently tested 24 samples of crocodile meat sold at Chinese dried seafood shops and found 16 to be monitor lizard or snake meat. Only eight were genuine crocodile meat.

Proprietors selling fake crocodile meat are liable to five years' jail and a $500,000 fine.

All species of crocodile, monitor lizard and many species are protected endangered species. People importing, exporting, re-exporting or possessing these species are liable to two years' jail and a $5-million fine.

Anyone who suspects a shop is applying false trade descriptions to goods should call Customs on 2545 6182.