Complex routes: this 2006 seizure of almost 3 tonnes of ivory in Taiwan was in a shipment sent from Tanzania via Singapore and Malaysia and destined for the Philippines Click photo to enlarge Joyce Wu / TRAFFIC January 2010—Customs officers in Hong Kong have seized 186 pieces of ivory, found inside a container arriving from Nigeria.
The container was declared to contain 285 pieces of “White Wood”, but examination by officers at Kwai Chung Container Terminal revealed the true contents.
Follow-up investigations are underway.
Under Hong Kong law, anyone found guilty of importing unmanifested cargoes is liable to a maximum fine of HK$2 million (US$258,000) and imprisonment for seven years, while anyone found guilty of trading endangered species for commercial purposes is liable to a maximum fine of HK$5 million (US$644,000) and imprisonment for two years.
The cargo is thought be worth around HK$2 million (US$258,000).
The container was shipped to Hong Kong via Malaysia on 18 December 2009. Malaysia has previously been identified as a transit point for illegal ivory shipments from Africa to Asia.
In 2006, authorities in Taiwan seized almost 3 tonnes of ivory that had been shipped from Tanzania via Malaysia.
The involvement of Asian, particularly Chinese, nationals in illegal ivory shipments from Africa is an ongoing and apparently escalating problem.
China has previously pledged to send a mission to Chinese communities in Africa to warn them against smuggling ivory, but has yet to carry out the mission.
On 14 January 2010, four Chinese national were arrested in Brazzalville, Congo, on suspicion of trafficking in illegal ivory jewelry including bracelets, statuettes and necklaces. If convicted, they face up to five years in jail and fines of up to XPF5 million (US$60,000).
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