Elephant Tusks
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The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and Singapore
Customs intercepted an air shipment of illegal ivory and pangolin scales
in boxes labelled ‘’synthetic wigs from Nigeria’’ The AVA and Customs
disclosed in a joint news release on Thursday that the scales worth an
estimated 1.3 million Singapore dollars were impounded at Changi
Airfreight Centre.
Pangolin |
Pangolin Scales Used For Armour |
Teck-Hui said the consignment was 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,” he
said.
He said that the government would continue to collaborate with other
national and international enforcement agencies to curb wildlife
trafficking. Teck-Hui stated that under the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to which
Singapore was a signatory, elephants and pangolins were endangered
species.
The officer said International trade in ivory and pangolin scales was
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 per scheduled specimen or imprisonment of up to two
years or both,’’ he said.
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