3 Vietnamese’s citizens accused in Nigeria for transnational wildlife trafficking

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Large quantities of ivory stored in the suspects’ warehouse (Photo: report of Environmental Investigation Agency)

Accordingly, each subject was sentenced to 6 years in prison or paid a corresponding fine instead of imprisonment.

Three Vietnamese citizens as Phan Viet Chi, Phan Hong Quan and Duong Van Thang are pivotal members of trafficking ring of ivory, pangolin scales, rhino horn and lion bones from Nigeria, Mozambique and South Africa to Vietnam.

All three subjects were arrested by Nigerian Customs on May 12, 2022. In July 2022, the Federal Supreme Court of Nigeria in Lagos city accused seven subjects (including three Vietnamese suspects) for illegally possessing, manufacturing and smuggling pangolin scales and ivory. The trials were started in November 2022 and sentenced on July 19, 2023.

Phan Viet Chi (Photo: Report of the EIA)

According to ENV, the three Vietnamese citizens are pivotal members of the transnational wildlife trafficking ring for many years and are monitored by law enforcement agencies as well as international investigation organizations.