Emirates investigates ivory cargo

EMIRATES Airline is launching an internal investigation to try and determine how it became implicated in the illegal shipment of two tonnes of African elephant ivory.

The shipment, which was marked as telecommunications equipment, was sent from Nairobi to Laos, but was seized at Bangkok. Worth US$3.5 million on the black market it comprised of over 200 tusks, making it Thailand’s largest ever seizure of ivory.

“It is strictly against our policy to carry cargo illegally into any country,” said an Emirates spokesperson. “The cargo in question had been mis-declared as ‘telecom equipment’ by the shipper in Nairobi and was subsequently intercepted by Customs in Bangkok.

“We have launched an internal investigation into the matter and are cooperating fully with Thai authorities.”

Seree Thaijongrak, director of the investigation and suppression bureau for Thai customs, said: “Normally, this would have gone right through, but we got the tip-off.”

 

 

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