Haul of illegal ivory

IVORY tusks have been discovered in one of the largest seizures of its kind at Heathrow Airport.

More than 110kg of ivory was found in baggage in transit from Angola to Hanover, Germany, on October 14, say Border Force.

Among the haul discovered at Terminal 4 were raw tusks, carved bangles and beads.

Phil Douglas, director of Border Force Heathrow said: “This is one of the largest seizures of its kind made in the UK and it demonstrates the vigilance of our officers.

“The illicit trade in products like ivory is a serious factor in the threat of extinction faced by many endangered species and that is why the rules around it are so strict.”

The items were taken away for forensic analysis which confirmed they were ivory – the trade is strictly controlled under the Convention in International Trade in Endangered Species. Items can only be cross EU borders if the correct permits have been issued.

Alexander Rhodes, of the Stop Ivory Group said: “Ivory represents dead elephants. Seizing illegal shipments of ivory is a grizzly but essential business. Border Force and the NCA [ National Crime Agency] should be congratulated on this major haul.”

Anyone with information about suspected smuggling should call the UK hotline on 0800 59 5000.