Hong Kong customs has arrested a woman on suspicion of illegally importing seven animals worth around HK$4,300 (HK$549) including a sugar glider and a chinchilla, into the city.

A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department said on Sunday that officers intercepted a 46-year-old passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line checkpoint the day before, seizing the animals from paper bags she carried.

“Customs reminds the public that importing animals into Hong Kong without a valid permit is an offence,” the spokesman said.

The seven animals were a chinchilla, a mouse, a hamster, three guinea pigs and a sugar glider, which is a small possum.

The animals were estimated to have a market value of around HK$4,300.

The woman was arrested and the case has been referred to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) for further investigation.