Singapore intercepts illegal shipment of raw ivory tusks

Channel NewsAsia 30 Jan 13;

SINGAPORE: Singapore has stopped a large illegal shipment of raw ivory tusks on the way from Africa.

The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority and Singapore Customs intercepted the shipment of about 1.8 tonnes of tusks in the second largest ivory seizure since 2002.

Acting on a tip-off, the AVA and Singapore Customs inspected the shipment that was declared as waste paper on January 23 and found 1,099 pieces of raw ivory tusks packed in 65 gunny sacks.

Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, of which Singapore is a signatory to, all African and Asian elephants are endangered species.

International trade in ivory has been banned since 1989.

-CNA/ac