Vinh Long: Discovered and seized more than 7 tons of smuggled rare animal products

The exhibits include many body parts of rare animals listed under strict protection by Vietnamese law, with exploitation and trade prohibited...

On October 4, Lieutenant Colonel Le Van Qui, Chief of Co Chien Border Guard Station (Border Guard Command of Vinh Long province) said that the unit had just discovered and arrested a case of transporting a large quantity of illegally smuggled rare animal products from Indonesia to Vietnam.

Specifically, at around 10:00 a.m. on October 3, the patrol team of the Co Chien Border Guard Station discovered two suspicious vehicles moving from the sea into the Eo Loi River mouth area, Thanh Phong Commune, Vinh Long Province. The two vehicles were driven by Pham Van Hoan (born in 1969, residing in Chat Binh Commune, Ninh Binh Province) and SYAMSADI (born in 1973, Indonesian nationality, passport number E3336520). Upon inspection, both subjects were unable to present valid documents related to the vehicles.

The exhibits are rare wildlife products. Photo: BP

During the inspection, the authorities discovered two vehicles carrying a large quantity of goods suspected to be rare wildlife products, including: more than 4.2 tons of animal scales suspected to be pangolin scales; 150 sets of python skin; 40 kg of animal bile; more than 1 ton of dried snail meat; nearly 1.6 tons of fish skin; 17.5 kg of snail whistles; 36 kg of animal bones; 100 kg of animal skin of unidentified species; 2.3 kg of fish gills; 39 bird beaks; 210 animal teeth; and 30 bottles labeled as honey. The total weight of the goods was more than 7 tons. The entire shipment had no invoices or documents proving its legal origin.

Through initial investigation, the two subjects admitted that all the goods were purchased from Indonesia and transported to Vietnam for consumption and profit. The Border Guard of Vinh Long province determined that the above behavior had signs of smuggling, the evidence included many body parts of rare animals on the list strictly protected by Vietnamese law, and strictly prohibited from exploitation and trade.

Immediately afterwards, the Provincial Border Guard Command coordinated with the Economic Police Department (Vinh Long Provincial Police) and the Forest Protection Department of Region 3 to make a record of the incident, temporarily detain the person, vehicle and all evidence, and carry out handling procedures in accordance with legal regulations.

TIN HUY

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/vinh-long-phat-hien-thu-giu-hon-7-tan-san-pham-dong-vat-quy-hiem-nhap-lau-post816299.html