Illustrative photo (Source:Internet) Singapore (VNA) - The Singaporean Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) on June 13 crushed 7.9 tonnes of elephant ivory estimated to be worth about 9 million USD which were seized since January 2014.
It was the first time seized ivory had been destroyed in Singapore.
The destruction of ivory sends a strong message that Singapore condemns the illegal wildlife trade, said Desmond Lee, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development.
Tackling this illicit trade requires close international cooperation, and also the assistance of the public and non-governmental organisations, he said.
The minister added that the Singaporean Government will continue enforcement efforts to prevent Singapore from being used as a transit point.
The largest and most valuable illegal shipment of ivory to be seized in Singapore to date was back in May 2015 when 1,783 elephant tusks weighing about 4.6 tonnes and worth about 6 million USD were intercepted en route to Vietnam from Kenya.-VNA
