Updated: 07/23/2013 20:22 | By Channel NewsAsia
S'pore repatriates S$2.5m worth of raw ivory to Africa
SINGAPORE: The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is sending back 1.8 tonnes of raw ivory to Africa for further investigations and enforcement actions by the authorities there.
The shipment, estimated to be worth some S$2.5 million, was seized by AVA and Singapore Customs on 23 January when it was in transit.
The tusks, which were en route to another country from Kenya, were packed in 65 gunny sacks and falsely declared as waste paper.
AVA said in a statement that it has concluded its investigations and confirmed that no local importer was involved in the case.
The agency is working with the Kenyan Wildlife Service, Kenyan Police and the Lusaka Agreement Taskforce (LATF) in returning the tusks to Africa.
The shipment is the second largest ivory seizure since 2002, and also the second consignment to be repatriated to Africa.
AVA also reminded shipping and logistics companies, declaring agents and freight forwarders to ensure that they are not used as channels for wildlife trafficking. - CNA/jc
