Customs seizes elephant tusks

MANILA, Philippines – An enforcement group of the Bureau of Customs (BOC) recently confiscated some P50 million worth of elephant tusks from Tanzania that were allegedly smuggled into the country through the Port of Manila.

BOC-Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) head Chief Superintendent Joey Yuchongco yesterday said the prohibited items were misdeclared
as a blow-molding machine consigned to a certain 210 Enterprises.

Yuchongco said that this was not the first time that the BOC-ESS stumbled on the illegal importation of ivory tusks.

They also busted a similar shipment, with a smaller estimated value of P60,000 to P100,000, about two years ago.

“The Philippines is a favorite destination of these smuggled elephant tusks maybe because Filipino Catholics are fond of images of saints that are made of ivory. Many Chinese nationals and politicians would also like to own ivory sculptured products because they do not fade or wither,” said Yuchongco.

A 20-foot container van reportedly arrived at the PoM last March 1.

The BOC had to wait for the 30-day period to lapse before they could declare it as abandoned cargo and have the authority to open the container.

The cargo came from Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania and the ivory tusks were reportedly placed inside sacks.

“We would be coordinating with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to determine who should be the proper custodian,” added the BOC official.

He likewise said that they could not yet determine what charges can be filed and who should be held liable since the investigation is still ongoing. The cargo is scheduled for full opening tomorrow.