Half a tonne of smuggled ivory seized in Hải Phòng

February 03, 2023 - 09:50
117 pieces of ivory tusks mixed with imported farmed cow horns were found on Thursday.
Local authorities in Hải Phòng City seize some 490kg of ivory smuggled by sea on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HẢI PHÒNG — A container containing some 490kg of ivory smuggled by sea has been uncovered in the northern port city of Hải Phòng.

With the container opened at Lạch Huyện international port on Thursday, 117 pieces of ivory tusks mixed with imported farmed cow horns were found.

Informed about the arrival of the illegal batch since the beginning of January, the Region 1 Coast Guard High Command and the municipal Department of Customs worked together to conduct related verification and bust the case.

Further investigation is underway.

Việt Nam has banned the trade of elephant tusks since 1992. According to Vietnamese law, individuals who store, transport, trade or advertise ivory of 2kg or more can be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to VNĐ15 billion (US$633,820). VNS

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