Nine tonnes of ivory seized in Vietnam’s biggest bust

	Hai Phong Customs arrested tons of smuggled ivory and pangolin scales
	Focus on reducing smuggling through Noi Bai airport
	Seized 8 tons of ivory and pangolins scales transporting illegally inside scrap container at Danang port.

Ivory was seized by the Customs

According to information released by competent authorities, the firm named on the wood shipment was Tram K. One-member Limited Liability Company (located in Dien Tho Commune, Dien Ba Town, Quang Nam Province).

Three containers (No. PCIU 0079366, PCIU 1345028 and PCIU 2928204) were transported on the S.B. Ship from the Republic of Congo to Da Nang Port on March 20, 2019, under the bill of lading MAT 800013200.

Suspicions were raised over the shipment, leading Da Nang Customs Department to investigate. On March 26, 2019, at Da Nang Port, Da Nang Customs Department coordinated with the Border Guard Command, Da Nang City Police, Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department under the General Department of Vietnam Customs and Police Department of Environmental Crime Investigation under the Ministry of Public Security to inspect the containers.

As a result, the competent forces detected over 9.1 tonnes of ivory hidden inside container No. PCIU 1345028. Notably, smugglers hid the ivory inside pieces of timber.

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According to Dr. Dang Tat The, Head of the Department of Molecular Systematics and Conservation Genetics (Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources - Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), said that Vietnam has never recorded a seizure of more than 9 tonnes of ivory.

Currently, the case is under investigation by competent agencies for handling in accordance with regulations.