Customs Seize Over Nine Tons of Ivory

Customs officials in Vietnam have seized over nine tons of ivory in a timber shipment from the Republic of Congo. Officials said this is the country's largest illegal wildlife hauls in years. They found the package of goods suspected to be ivory hidden inside timber logs at Danang's main port on a ship from the Republic of Congo. A customs official said the authorities are still inspecting.

Despite it being illegal to buy and sell ivory, the Vietnamese lax law enforcement has allowed it to flourish in the black market. With mounting international pressure, the government has vowed to crack down on illegal wildlife trade.

Ivory is used for jewellery, decorative housewares and traditional medicine in Vietnam.