Arresting nearly 1 ton of ivory, ivory products and pangolins scales shipped by air

	Collected more than 3 kg of ivory products transporting to Thailand via Noi Bai airport
	Why are ivory smuggling suspended?
	Suspend the investigation of 4 cases of smuggling ivory

The exhibits

On the afternoon of September 28th, 2018, the Customs Control Team in cooperation with the Customs Branch of Noi Bai International Airport (under Ha Noi Customs Department), Group 1 (under Anti-smuggling and Investigation Department) have tallied 24 carton boxes of 2 bills of lading, which were shipped from Nigeria to Vietnam, on September 21st, 2018 by Turkish Airlines. The consignors are 2 companies located in Nigeria and the consignees are 2 companies located in Soc Son, Hanoi. However, the companies named on the bill of lading refused to receive the goods.

Previously, through Customs inspection and supervision, the Customs control team coordinated with the Customs Branch of Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi Customs Department) suspected the two bills of lading for 24 carton boxes. Customs authority then screened the boxes. As a result, the Customs discovered that the boxes contained animal products.

On the afternoon of September 28th 2018, under the witnesses by representatives of ALS cargo terminal company limited, Turkish Airlines and related people, the competent forces opened 24 boxes for inspection.

Inspecting 4 packages under bill of lading 23572309952, were cartons wrapped in sacks, in which the forces discovered animal products suspected to be ivory.

The Customs Control Team under Hanoi Customs Department asked the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources for verification. Accordingly, the goods in the 4 packages were determined as ivory.

After the tally, the total number of seized goods included: 63 elephant ivories weighing 50kgs, elephant ivory ring and seeds weighing 130kgs, which totaled 193kgs.

Inspecting 20 packages of bill of lading 23572309963, shipped to Noi Bai International Airport on September 21st, 2018 (packing model similar to the above 4 packages), customs authority discovered that the carton boxes contained animal products suspected of being pangolin scales.

The Customs control team also asked the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources for verification, as a result, the goods in the 20 packages were determined as pangolins scales.

Shortly thereafter, the competent forces tallied pangolin scales contained in the 20 cartons and detected that the total weight of the shipment was 805 kgs.

The representative from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources conducted the sampling to determine the species name, origin and conservation status.

After inspection, the competent forces carried out the customs sealing to proceed to the next steps in accordance with the law.

Hereinafter are some photos of infringing material evidences taken by a Customs Newspaper reporter at the inspection site.

Ivory, ivory products and pangolins scales packed in simple and rudimentary boxes.

Pangolins scales in boxes

Ivory products such as: bracelets and round seeds wrapped into small packages

The competent forces tallied the goods

A lot of ivory contained in the carton boxes.