Vietnam Seizes 2.4 Tons of Smuggled Elephant Tusks

Authorities in Vietnam have seized 2.4 tons of elephant tusks illegally imported from Malaysia in the second large seizure this month.

Customs official Truong Cong Thanh in the northern port city of Hai Phong says the tusks were found in a container Monday. The cargo had been declared as sea shells.

Thanh said Tuesday that the case was under investigation.

Earlier this month, customs officials in Hai Phong had seized nearly 2 tons of tusks also smuggled in from Malaysia.

The tusks were to be used for jewelry and home decorations.

Vietnam bans hunting of its own dwindling population of elephants, which poachers value highly for their tusks.