Singapore seizes second largest illegal ivory shipment since 2002

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), with support from Singapore Customs and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), have seized a shipment of about 3.7 tons of illegal ivory,the second-largest seizure since 2002,AVA said in a joint press release with Singapore Customs on Tuesday.

The shipment, which was declared as tea leaves, was shipped in two 20-foot containers from Kenya and was transiting through Singapore for Vietnam. Upon inspecting the two containers, AVA uncovered 1,783 pieces of raw ivory tusks concealed among bags of tea dust. AVA also found four pieces of rhinoceros horns and 22 pieces of canine teeth believed to be from African big cats. The haul, estimated at 8 million Singapore dollars (6 million U.S. dollars), has been seized by AVA for further investigations.

International trade in ivory, rhinoceros horns and certain species of big cats' teeth are banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which Singapore is a signatory, it said, adding that the maximum penalty for the illegal wildlife is a fine of 50,000 Singapore dollars (37,600 U.S. dollars) per scheduled specimen ( not exceeding an aggregate of 500,000 Singapore dollars) and/or imprisonment of up to two years.

"The Singapore government has zero tolerance on the use of Singapore as a conduit to smuggle endangered species and their parts and products. AVA will continue to cooperate and collaborate with partner enforcement agencies nationally and internationally to curb wildlife trafficking. The public can also help reduce demand by not buying such products," said Lye Fong Keng, Deputy Director of AVA's Quarantine & Inspection Group, Wildlife Section. Endi