Illegal shipments intercepted by customs

November 16, 2017 - 09:56

Hà Nội Customs has confiscated more than 47 kilos of ivory tusk products and nearly eight kilos of synthetic drug illegally transported into Việt Nam in two separate cases through express postal services.

Hà Nội Customs has confiscated more than 47 kilos of ivory tusk products and nearly eight kilos of synthetic drug illegally transported into Việt Nam in two separate cases through express postal services.— Illustrative Image

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội Customs has confiscated more than 47 kilos of ivory tusk products and nearly eight kilos of synthetic drug illegally transported into Việt Nam in two separate cases through express postal services.

The ivory tusks were seized on August 31 in two parcels sent from Germany, weighing more than 60 kilos. Customs scanning indicated the goods may have been made from animals so were sent to the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources for tests. Tests released recently showed that all the 47-kilos of the industrial goods were made from ivory.

Trading, storing and transporting ivory is forbidden in Việt Nam. Violators can be fined from VNĐ5-50 million or imprisoned from six months to five years.

In the other cases, customs in co-operation with anti-smuggling and anti-drug police discovered a suspicious imported parcel weighing 12.14 kilos sent from the Netherlands to Hà Nội and HCM City. The eight-kilo goods were then tested positive with 3.4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA).

The police then arrested two suspects in Hà Nội and one in HCM City. The case in under further investigation. — VNS

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