Prosecute the smuggling case of more than 2 tons of ivory through Cat Lai

Ivory was exported illegally through Cat Lai port. Photo: Thu Hoa

Dieu Tien Service Trading Company Limited was the name on the import declaration of the above shipment (address at 66/8 Tai Thiet Road, Ward 11, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City). The imported goods were declared as 2 containers of sapele wood, origin from Mozambique. The shipment was classified to yellow channel (check records).

After detecting suspicious signs, on October 6^th 2016, Sai Gon port area 1 Customs Branch in coordination with Customs Enforcement Team - HCMC Customs Department, Police Department Crime Prevention smuggling (C74) - Ministry of Public Security examined all imported consignments and discovered over 2 tons of elephant tusks (ivory) illegally imported from Africa to Vietnam through Cat Lai port.The ivory was hidden in hollowed out wooden blocks. All ivory was covered with dunnage and sawdust. Then the blocks were sealed by glue and reinforced as normal wooden blocks, so it was very hard to detect.To break the wooden blocks containing the ivory, the Sai Gon port area 1 Customs Branch hired workers at Cat Lai port to use hammers, and crowbars to pry open.

Dieu Tien Service Trading Company Limited was granted business registration certificate, No.0113525421, dated November 9^th 2015 by the Department of Planning and Investment of Hochiminh City. The corporate director is Mrs. Vo Thi Hong Dieu.At the registered address of Dieu Tien Service Trading Company Limited, there is no existing office. It is just only a small grocery store of about 4-5 square meters.According to the Sai Gon port area 1 Customs Branch, after prosecution of the above case, the unit will transfer all records to the investigating police agency for expanding investigations prescribed.