Over the past 10 days, 3 cases of illegal smuggling of elephant tusks, rhino horns and pangolin scales through Da Nang’s Tien Sa Port have been detected by the General Department of Viet Nam Customs’ Anti-Smuggling Investigation Department, the Police Department for the Prevention and Control of Smuggling (C47) under the General Police Department, and the Da Nang Customs Department.

Local relevant agencies say that the smugglers' tricks are becoming increasingly sophisticated which causes many difficulties for detection.

The elephant tusks seized at Tien Sa Port

According to a local customs official, similar smuggling cases have occurred especially in Hai Phong.  However, they have recently started occuring in Da Nang because Hai Phong’s authorities have already tightened their checks and their monitoring of the transport of cargo through that port.  He remarked that customs declaration papers for the seized items brought through the Tien Sa Port have yet to be made by their receivers.

The Deputy Director of the Da Nang Customs Department, Mr Nguyen Huong, said that the local customs sector has checked imported cargo in accordance with the city’s law.  His Department has also applied the automated customs clearance system to its operations.

Mr Huong stressed the need for his Department to update profiles of local businesses and check their observance of laws in order to ensure effective management of their performance.  He remarked that top priority will be given to conducting thorough checks of goods imported from Africa, even though they might be classified in the green lane.