The tusks seized at scene (Photo: VNA)– Customs forces
in the northern city of Hai Phong 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-feet container arrived at Lach Huyen
port in Hai Phong on January 26. It was registered as carrying timber, with the
receiver named as VIC Thanh Binh Import-Export Co., Ltd, which is located in Dan Phuong
district, Hanoi.
Further investigation is underway into the
smuggling of these illegal goods.
In Vietnam, illegal hunting, trading,
poaching and transportation of even one pangolin carries punishment of one to
five years imprisonment and a fine of between 500 million VND (22,000 USD) and
2 billion VND (86,728 USD).
The country banned the trading of elephant
tusks in 1992. Trading, storing and transporting ivory is forbidden, with
violators fined from 5-50 million VND or imprisoned from six months to five
years.-VNA
