INTERPOL takes tusk samples for DNA test

The International Criminal Police Organisation – INTERPOL has taken samples of 357 tusks which were seized by the Colombo, Customs’ officials in May last year for a DNA test, the Customs Media Officer Leslie Gamini said.

The INTERPOL insisted that investigations be carried out in this regard considering it as a mass massacre.

Colombo was the transit point before heading for Dubai. Customs officials said an actual estimation of the value could not be given since there was no corresponding local price for tusks and therefore it had to be valued in US Dollars.

The stock came in two containers bound for Dubai from Kenya.

The tusks hidden in sacks filled with soil had been shipped from the Port of Mombasa in Kenya.

However, no information has been found of any involvement of any Sri Lankan nationals in the racket. (Chaturanga Pradeep)