Animal parts worth $18m seized
Published: 05:07 PM,Jul 18,2022 | EDITED : 09:07 PM,Jul 18,2022
Malaysian customs officials said on Monday they seized a stash of rare animal parts worth $18 million thought to have come from Africa, including elephant tusks, rhino horns and pangolin scales.
The Southeast Asian nation is a hub for wildlife trafficking, with animal parts shipped through the country to lucrative regional markets.
Authorities foiled a smuggling attempt on July 10 when they uncovered the illicit cargo in Port Klang, on Malaysia's west coast, hidden in a container along with timber.
The shipment included an estimated 6,000 kilograms of elephant tusks — Malaysia's biggest single seizure of elephant ivory, said customs department chief Zazuli Johan.
There were also 29 kilograms of rhino horns, 100 kilos of pangolin scales, and 300 kilos of animal skulls and other bones, he told a press conference.
The seizure had an estimated value of 80 million ringgit ($18 million), he said, adding it was believed to have come from Africa, without giving more details.
Zazuli said Malaysia was not the shipment's final destination, but did not say where it was heading.
The Southeast Asian nation is a hub for wildlife trafficking, with animal parts shipped through the country to lucrative regional markets.
Authorities foiled a smuggling attempt on July 10 when they uncovered the illicit cargo in Port Klang, on Malaysia's west coast, hidden in a container along with timber.
The shipment included an estimated 6,000 kilograms of elephant tusks — Malaysia's biggest single seizure of elephant ivory, said customs department chief Zazuli Johan.
There were also 29 kilograms of rhino horns, 100 kilos of pangolin scales, and 300 kilos of animal skulls and other bones, he told a press conference.
The seizure had an estimated value of 80 million ringgit ($18 million), he said, adding it was believed to have come from Africa, without giving more details.
Zazuli said Malaysia was not the shipment's final destination, but did not say where it was heading.