VCN – About 130 kg of illegally imported African ivory was seized on February 6 by the Hai Phong Customs Department, the Anti-Smuggling and Investigation Department under the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC), the police authority, and other law enforcement agencies.
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| Officers of Hai Phong Customs Department inspect infringing goods. Photo: T.B |
The consignment was contained in a container on KOTA LIHAT ship when it arrived at Lach Huyen port on February 3. The Customs determined that the shipment was in breach of regulations and made a decision to seize the African ivory.
Earlier, on February 2, Hai Phong Customs Department collaborated with the local enforcement authorities to seize about 500kg of ivory.
On February 2, the Hai Phong Customs Department and the local law enforcement agencies worked together to seize roughly 500kg of ivory.
According to Deputy Director of Hai Phong Customs Department Nguyen Sy Trang, the department received information that some shipments of illegal wildlife products from Africa will arrive at Hai Phong port in early 2023 and carry out customs procedures for these consignments in the Lunan New Year to outsmart the control of the Customs.
Hai Phong Customs Department coordinated with Dinh Vu Seaport Customs Branch and planned the seizure.
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| Officers of the Customs Enforcement Team supervise the infringing goods on February 6. Photo: T.B |
On January 22, the consignment was shipped on XIN WEN ZHOU ship to Lach Huyen port. The consignee named on the bill of lading was HMD Technology Joint Stock Company, and the goods were declared as cow horns.
On January 28, the company carried out import procedures for the shipment. The Customs classified the shipment’s declaration into the yellow channel, and identified many suspicious signs.
In addition, the Coast Guard Command of Region 1 also provided information about the above shipment to the Customs for coordination.
On February 2, the Department worked with the Coast Guard Command of Region 1 and other competent agencies to conduct a physical inspection and seized 117 pieces of ivory, weighing 490kg.
On February 3, Hai Phong Customs Department issued a decision to temporarily seize the shipment and collaborated with other forces to investigate the case.
Thus, over 600kg of African ivory was seized by Hai Phong Customs Department on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
Deputy Director Nguyen Sy Trang said that the seizure of illegally imported ivory showed great efforts of the department in following the direction of the Ministry of Finance, General Department of Vietnam Customs and People’s Committee of Hai Phong City in the peak implementation of anti-smuggling before, during and after the Lunar New Year 2023.
By Thai Binh/Ngoc Loan