1,849 ivory pieces hidden in shoe shipment seized
dubai — The Dubai Police have uncovered parcels containing 1,849 pieces of ivory hidden in a shipment of imported shoes at the Dubai International Airport. The seized ivory tusks — being smuggled in a consignment from Africa via Dubai to an Asian country — were painted in black and concealed among footwear.
Brigadier-General Ali Ateeq bin Lahej, director of the general department of airport security, said the ivory pieces were of different shapes and sizes. He added that the confiscated materials are banned from being traded and listed in Appendix 1 of the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). The UAE joined the CITES in 1990, he pointed out.
The administrative authority and authorities concerned, including the General Directorate of Airport Security in Dubai Police, are working to enforce the law and prevent the use of state’s land as a transit area for illegal ivory shipments, he said. He explained that law imposes severe penalties on those who violate the CITES regulations, which could entail imprisonment or fine or both.
The airport security director said with the help of partners in the local and world communities, the department seeks to combat this trade to preserve the global ecosystem, he added.
He praised the Dubai Police cadres and management personnel for preventing shipments that smuggle animal parts banned under CITES. He added that the airport security department will hand over the seized ivory to the Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment, in accordance with the federal law.