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Singapore seizes illegal ivory, pangolin scales worth 1.3 million SGD

Xinhua, December 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and Singapore Customs intercepted an air shipment of illegal ivory and pangolin scales worth an estimated 1.3 million Singapore dollars (922,000 U.S. dollars) at Changi Airfreight Centre, AVA and Singapore Customs said in a joint press release on Thursday.

The 0.8-ton shipment, labelled as "complete wigs of synthetic textile materials", originated from Lagos, Nigeria, and was en route to Vientiane, Laos, via Singapore on Dec. 12.

A closer inspection of the shipment revealed 255 pieces of raw elephant tusks weighing about 505 kg and pangolin scales weighing about 324 kg.

The shipment, worth an estimated 1.3 million Singapore dollars (922,000 U.S. dollars), is the fifth largest seizure of illegal ivory by Singapore authorities since 2002. A freight forwarding company in connection with the shipment is assisting AVA with the investigations.

"We have zero tolerance on the use of Singapore as a conduit to smuggle endangered species, their parts and products," said Chua Teck Hui, Head of Air Checkpoints Branch, Singapore Customs. "We will continue to collaborate with other national and international enforcement agencies to curb wildlife trafficking."

Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to which Singapore is a signatory, elephants and pangolins are endangered species. International trade in ivory and pangolin scales is prohibited without CITES permits.

Under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, a CITES permit is required for any import, export or re-export of CITES wildlife and their parts and products. The maximum penalty for the illegal wildlife is a fine of 50,000 Singapore dollars (35,500 U.S. dollars) per scheduled specimen and/or imprisonment of up to two years. Enditem