African tusks seized by Customs

22 May 2012 11:05 am

In the largest ever seizure of tusks in Colombo, Customs officials this monring seized nearly 600 tusks of African elephants worth millions of rupees that came in two containers bound to Dubai from Kenya.

The tusks hidden in sacks filled with soil had been shipped from the Mumbasa Port in Kenya a few weeks ago.

Colombo was the transit point before heading to 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.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror an official said only one container was opened and it contained 600 tusks.

“We are yet to open the other container as well and believe the same consignment in it. But we have to open and see,” he said.

However no information has been found of any involvement of any Sri Lankan nationals in the racket.