Customs officials in Ho Chi Minh City on December 1 reported that they have detected 529kg of elephant tusks illegally imported into Vietnam under the cover of wood.


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On December 1 morning, the customs branch of Sai Gon Port Zone 1 coordinated with the border station of Nha Rong Port and the Police Department on Anti-Smuggling (C47) under the Public Security Ministry to examine three containers of imported wood owned by Huynh Phat company in Tan Binh district.

The officials found the tucks hidden inside two hollow wood blocks measuring 68cm in width and 4m in length. Market price of the tuck amount is about 20 billion VND.

Authorities said that the method of smuggling is new, as the tusks are put inside the wood blocks which are covered by a layer of wax and a layer of plaster with two ends nailed with wood board, so that the blocks have a reasonable weight and look normal.

Earlier in October and November, Ho Chi Minh City’s customs also uncovered six cases of smuggling of more than 5 tonnes of pangolin’s scab and ivory tusks.-VNA