Ivory bust reveals traffickers' new evasion tactics
Interception of tusks from West Africa shows how far traffickers will go for sales on mainland
Ivory traffickers have switched smuggling routes in an effort to sneak elephant tusks into Hong Kong undetected, a senior customs official said after 1,148 tusks worth HK$17.5 million were found hidden in a shipping container on Thursday.
They arrived from the West African state of Togo via Morocco - a journey up to half as long again as the traditional routes out of East Africa from countries such as Kenya or Tanzania, said Senior Superintendent Lam Tak-fai, head of customs' ports and maritime command.
Once in Hong Kong, smuggled tusks go to the mainland, where ivory is known as "white gold" and is a symbol of wealth and status.
Thursday's massive haul - nearly 2.2 tonnes - was believed to have been destined for Shandong province. "It is the first time in recent years that we have seized tusks arriving from West Africa," Lam said, adding that officers would now step up inspections of imports from the region.
Customs already intercepted two shipments of ivory this year, totalling 1.3 tonnes.
In the latest case, shipping documents said the container, which arrived late last month, was filled with wooden planks.