The central Nghe An Province Police prosecuted two rhino horn traffickers yesterday for violating rare animal protection regulations in the country's Criminal Code, Vnexpress reported.

Earlier, on Saturday, Nghe An province's police caught the two men, Le Thanh Trung (32) from Ha Noi and Doan Duy Dinh (32) from Thanh Hoa province, with 31 rhino horns.

They were arrested right after they left a railway station in the province, carrying rhino horns weighing 37 kilos in bags.

Dinh told the investigation agency that he was paid VND40 million ($1,800) to transport the horns from southern Ho Chi Minh City to Nghe An province, and he asked Trung to join his journey to Nghe An province.

The police are trying to track the ring leader of rhino horn smugglers.

Meanwhile, Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang yesterday asked the police to conduct more investigations to trace everyone involved in the case and to ensure stricter punishments as well as unearth more such cases.

He also announced a reward for police officers who unearthed this case. 

VNS