Customs seize 1.4 tonnes of pangolin scales, 100kg of tusks

January 31, 2019 - 15:16

Customs forces in the northern city of Hải Phòng discovered nearly 1.4 tonnes of pangolin scales and 20 elephant tusks weighing more than 100kg hidden inside a container shipped from Nigeria.

Illustrative photo. — VNA/VNS Photo Thế Tùng
Viet Nam News

HẢI PHÒNG — Customs agents in the northern city of Hải Phòng discovered nearly 1.4 tonnes of pangolin scales and 20 elephant tusks weighing more than 100kg hidden inside a container shipped from Nigeria.

The 20-foot container arrived at Lạch Huyện port in Hải Phòng last Saturday. It was registered as carrying timber, with the receiver named as VIC Thanh Bình Import-Epxport Co., Ltd, which is located in Đan Phượng District, Hà Nội.

Further investigation is underway into the smuggling of these illegal goods.

In Việt Nam, illegal hunting, trading, poaching and transportation of even one pangolin carries punishment of one to five years imprisonment and a fine of between VNĐ500 million (US$22,000) and VNĐ2 billion ($86,700).

The country banned the trading of elephant tusks in 1992. Trading, storing and transporting ivory is forbidden, with violators fined from VNĐ5-50 million or imprisoned from six months to five years. — VNS

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