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South Sudan seize 1.2 tons of Malaysia-bound illegal ivory

Xinhua, June 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

South Sudan officials confirmed Friday they have seized 1.2 tons of illegal ivory which was destined for Malaysia as authorities intensify crackdown on illegal wildlife trade.

Wildlife and Tourism Minister, Jemma Nun Kumba said the shipment was seized on late on Thursday at Juba International Airport, noting that four suspects are being interrogated after being arrested for smuggling the shipment into the country.

"We will not allow South Sudan to be used as transit for any trade in illegal ivory or any product that dangers wildlife," Kumba told Xinhua in Juba.

He said the suspects were arrested by security officers at the immigration after passing through Customs office with the ivory labeled as food items.

The seizure comes barely a week after the government set ablaze 150 stockpiles of ivory in a bid to discourage illicit trade on endangered species.

Earlier this month, President Salva Kiir issued directives to the ministry of wildlife and tourism to destroyed 150 kilograms stockpiles that were compounded over the past years.

South Sudan's conservationists called on the government to enact laws that will provide for stiffer penalties for wildlife offenders in the newborn nation. Endit