Hanoi airport seizes ton of pangolin scales, ivory

Authorities at Hà Nội’s airport found 805 kg of pangolin scales as well as 193 kg of ivory and ivory-derived products in two dozen cargo boxes in September. VIET NAM NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

HANOI – Nearly a ton of elephant tusks, ivory products, and pangolin scales were smuggled from Nigeria to Vietnam, the customs said.

Customs officers at Noi Bai International Airport have seized nearly a ton of elephant tusks, ivory products and pangolin scales hidden inside cargo packages.

The packages included 193 kg of elephant tusks and ivory products, and 805 kg of pangolin scales in two dozen cargo boxes transported from Nigeria.

The goods were sent from two companies based in Nigeria to a company in Hanoi’s district of Soc Son on a Turkish Airlines flight on September 21.

According to the customs officers, the intended recipient of the cargo package has refused to receive the goods.

The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology has taken samples to trace the origin of the items.

In August 2017, Hanoi Customs also confiscated over 47 kg of ivory tusk products illegally transported into Vietnam through express postal service.

Trading, storing and transporting ivory is forbidden in Vietnam. Violators can be fined from VND5-50 million (US$217-2,170) or imprisoned from six months to five years.