Source: Xinhua| 2019-04-15

Vice Minister Hu Wei (2nd Left) speaks at a press conference in Beijing on April 15, 2019.

BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhua) -- China Customs seized 7.48 tonnes of smuggled ivory during an operation on March 30, Vice Minister Hu Wei said in a press release on Monday. It is the largest seizure of smuggled elephant tusks by Chinese customs in recent years. And an international ivory smuggling ring was destroyed during the operation.

So far this year, China Customs has seized 8.48 tonnes of ivory tusks and products and 500.5 tonnes of endangered species in 182 smuggling cases involving 171 suspects, according to the press release.

Meanwhile, the Police also has strengthened efforts to crack down on the smuggling of endangered species. More than 200 items of smuggled ivory products and over 830 kilograms of other endangered species have been seized through border control since 2018, said the Ministry of Public Security.

The Police also intensified the hunt for fugitive smugglers overseas. So far this year, two fugitives involved in a high-profile ivory smuggling case, were arrested and repatriated from Nigeria and another in a separate case from Vietnam after fleeing overseas for eight years.

In the past three years, the Police has assisted Customs authorities in capturing 18 fugitives suspected of smuggling elephant tusks and other endangered species.

China has imposed a complete ban on ivory trade for commercial purposes starting from January 1, 2018, as part of its commitment to protecting wild animals.