Some 3.5 tons of ivory hidden inside a container are seized. Haiphong City police are investigating the import of over seven tons of ivory and pangolin scales into Vietnam through Haiphong port – PHOTO: VNA

According to sources, a container arrived on the KOTA JOHAN ship, with CMA-CMG Vietnam Joint Stock Company operating as the transport agent, at the Nam Hai Dinh Vu Port in Haiphong City on April 12.

The items in the container were registered as tar, stored in 80 barrels, with the recipient listed as AB Plus Logistic Stock Company, located in Haiphong City. The firm, however, refused to accept the goods.

As the listed owner of the shipment did not complete import procedures for the cargo, and on suspicion that the container held illegal animal parts, customs and police officers in the northern city of Haiphong on April 17 decided to open the container to check the contents and discovered 3,448 kilograms of ivory and 3,978 kilograms of pangolin scales hidden inside.

Hunting, trading, poaching and the transportation of parts of pangolins and elephants, as endangered animals, are prohibited, in line with international regulations.

According to the Haiphong customs agency, it has handed over the evidence related to the case to the city’s investigative police agency.

In early 2019, the city’s customs agency broke up two smuggling rings, seizing 600 kilograms of ivory and over 2.5 tons of pangolin scales. SGT

Fine art and furniture shops still trade in ivory

When Bao Ve Rung & Moi Truong reporters visited Phu Khe commune, Tu Son Town of Bac Ninh province in late May and said they wanted to buy some products made of ivory, they luckily met a woman who offered herself as a guide.

Over 7.4 tonnes of ivory, pangolin scales seized in Hai Phong

Customs and police officers in the northern city of Hai Phong have discovered 3,446 kg of ivory and 3,977 kg of pangolin scales hidden inside a container.