Seizure of nearly 29kg of rhino horn on flight from South Korea to Can Tho

Do Thanh Son and animal horn suspected as rhino horn

The flight was shunted to Can Tho International Airport to implement entry procedures instead of Tan Son Nhat International Airport due to Covid-19 prevention efforts.

At 3:45PM, on March 3, while using scanning machines for two items of luggage of Do Thanh Son (born in 1982, Vietnamese nationality), Can Tho Customs Branch discovered one piece luggage having suspected signs, so the unit requested a physical inspection. However, Do Thanh Son did not agree to open the bag and said that the bag contained Koi fish that had been processed for transportation and if it was opened, it must have an oxygen system, otherwise the fish would die.

After more than three hours, with the witness of competent authorities, Can Tho Customs Branch conducted physical inspection and discovered 11 samples of animal horn suspected as rhino horn with total weight of more than 28.7kg.

Do Thanh Son took out the exhibits in the presence of competent authorities

Can Tho Customs Branch has made a record of violations and temporarily seized exhibits to carry out subsequent steps of handling. Do Thanh Son was sent to an isolation area in accordance with regulations.