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

Authorities at Hanoi’s airport found 805kg of pangolin scales as well as 193kg of ivory and ivory-derived products in two dozen cargo boxes in September.

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

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 Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology has taken samples to trace the origin of the items. 

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

Trading, storing and transporting ivory is forbidden in Viet Nam. Violators can be fined from VNĐ5-50 million (US$217-2,170) or imprisoned from six months to five years. — VNS