Vietnam Seizes Nearly 1.2 Tonnes Of Ivory, Animal Bones Shipped From Africa
HANOI, Aug 14 (NNN-VNA) -- Vietnamese customs authorities have discovered nearly 1,200 kg of ivory and 80 kg of animal bones shipped from Africa to Quy Nhơn Port in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai, in Vietnam’s South Central Coast region, during an inspection conducted from Aug. 6 to 8, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.
The ivory and bones were hidden in sawn timber and placed in three containers that arrived at the port on July 9, according to the Anti-Smuggling Investigation Division under the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
As the cargo raised suspicions, it was monitored and inspected by customs authorities in collaboration with specialised police units under the Ministry of Public Security and the economic police of Gia Lai Province.
A total of 1,193 kg of ivory and 79.3 kg of animal bones were discovered and handed over to Gia Lai’s Investigation Police Agency on Aug. 10 for further handling in accordance with its jurisdiction.
Analysis showed that the ivory belonged to the Elephantidae family, while the animal bones belonged to the Felidae family. Both are listed in the appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Preliminary assessments indicated that this was one of the largest seizures of illicit goods in the central region in recent years and the first major case of its kind detected at Quy Nhơn Port.
Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Finance, Nguyen Duc Chi, commended the units involved in the inspection for detecting and intercepting the illegal wildlife shipment.
Chi attributed the seizure to close coordination between customs and police authorities as part of broader efforts to combat smuggling and prevent the trafficking of endangered wild animal and plant species.
He said the achievement contributed significantly to maintaining national security and social order and encouraged the authorities to build on these results.
-- NNN-BERNAMA-VNA
