Huge ivory and pangolin scale shipment seized at Noi Bai

The customs officers at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport has seized nearly one tonne of ivory, pangolin scales and other parts of wild animals.

The customs officers at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport has seized nearly one tonne of ivory, pangolin scales and other parts of wild animals.

Customs officers seized nearly one tonne of ivory, pangolin scales

The animal parts were discovered on September 28. According to the General Department of Vietnam Customs, this could be one of the largest ivory and pangolin scale smuggling cases yet.

The case was discovered by Hanoi Customs Department, anti-smuggling investigation team under the General Department of Vietnam Customs and the customs department at Noi Bai Airport.

The animal parts were transferred in two cargos. The first cargo was registered to be 730kg but contained 805kg of pangolin scales. The second cargo weighed 230kg on paper but contained 193kg of jewellery made from elephant tusks.

The first cargo was sent by GMJ International Logisticsmakia from Nigeria to NBC Vietnam Development Company in Hanoi. The NBC Vietnam Development Company, however, refused to receive the 805kg of pangolin scales.

The second cargo was sent by Cathage Import and Export LTD also in Nigeria to VAMC IECO LTD in Hanoi.

Both of the cargoes are banned goods under the Convention on Illegal Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The case is still under investigation.

Some photos of the items seized:

   

 

 

A huge amount of ivory and pangolin scales seized