Straits Times : Ivory smugglers foiled at port

JUL 12, 2002

Ivory smugglers foiled at port

SINGAPORE authorities have seized six tonnes of smuggled African elephant tusks and ivory worth about $1.5 million in one of the biggest hauls here.


	African elephant tusks worth about $1.5 million were found in boxes on a container bound for Japan.

The 532 tusks and 40,810 ivory pieces were stuffed in six wooden crates on a container passing through the port on the way to Japan.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), which seized the ivory on June 28, said it was still investigating, and released pictures of the haul yesterday.

It declined to say whether anyone had been arrested, but a Nairobi-based body which fights wildlife crime told The Straits Times that four people had been caught in connection with the case.

Mr Musa Lyimo, acting director of the Lusaka Agreement Task Force, said over the telephone: 'I believe that a Singaporean is helping the Singapore police, two Malawians have been brought to a Malawi court, while another Malawian is being questioned in Malawi.'

He said his organisation alerted Singapore to the smuggling, adding: 'It's one of the largest ivory hauls this organisation has encountered.'

The AVA is responsible for enforcing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), of which Singapore is a signatory. It is working with the Customs and Excise Department, local police and international agencies on the case.

Under the Endangered Species Act, anyone found guilty of importing or exporting wildlife parts without a permit can be fined up to $5,000, and up to $10,000 for repeat offences, and/or jailed for one year.