Cambodia seizes elephant tusks, tiger bones, pangolin scales

A haul of elephant ivory, tiger bones and pangolin scales was found at a dry port on the western outskirts of Phnom Penh on Saturday in hollowed-out logs imported from Africa, a senior official confirmed on Monday.

Un Vannarith, deputy chief of the Phnom Penh Forestry Administration cantonment, said the animal parts, weighed about one ton, were discovered at the Royal Railway Phnom Penh dry port hidden inside three pieces of timber.

"We have found elephant tusks, elephant tails, tiger bones and pangolin scales stuffed inside three logs which were imported from the southern African nation of Mozambique," he told Xinhua, adding that the raid was made following a tip-off from the NGO Regional Intelligence Liaison Office of the World Customs Organization.

He said the intended destination of the haul was unknown as an investigation was underway to find out the smugglers.

In August, some 613 kg of elephant tusks shipped from Africa were found concealed inside a corn container at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port in southwestern Cambodia's Preah Sihanouk province.

source: Xinhua