Major wildlife product trafficking case uncovered in Hanoi

About 100 kg of wildlife products suspected to be elephant tusks and rhino horns were found being smuggled into Vietnam through Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on August 12.

About 100 kg of wildlife products suspected to be elephant tusks and rhino horns were found being smuggled into Vietnam through Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on August 12.

This is the biggest amount of contraband horn seized in the capital city so far.

Customs officers and anti-smuggling forces found four pieces of luggage containing 49 pieces suspected to be elephant tusk weighing 95.54 kg and a 4.76 kg horn possibly of a rhino.

They were sent from Africa through the Republic of Korea to Vietnam.

Samples of the contraband were delivered to the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources for testing.

This was the second case of wildlife product trafficking busted in the last four months in Hanoi.

On April 16, 65.42 kg of elephant tusks and rhino horns were seized at Noi Bai when being transported from France.

Elephant tusks and rhino horns are subject to import ban in Vietnam. The animals are listed among animal and plant species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Wild Fauna and Flora.

On the black market, rhino horn is priced at 133 USD per gramme while African elephant tusk costs up to 2,100 USD per kg.-VNA

VNA

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