Airport Security of Dubai Police foils smuggle attempt of 16 pieces of African elephant tusk

Dubai (WAM): The squad of the General Department of Airport Security of Dubai Police, has seized16 pieces of African elephant tusk with two Asian passengers coming from an African country and heading to their home country through the Dubai International Airport's terminal 3. The trade in elephant tusks is banned in accordance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ,CITES, which regulates international trade in endangered fauna and flora. The security personnel who suspected the two bags of travellers, searched them and found the prohibited substances. Interrogated, the accused passengers confessed that an African gave them the suitcases to give them to someone else in their country against US$500 per a bag. They pleaded that did not know what was in the bags, as they were told no banned substances in them. The seized substances were confiscated, and action was taken as per the U.A.E. laws in this respect. Col. Pilot Saeed Ahmed Sultan Al Muhairi, Acting Director of the General Department of Airport Security of Dubai Police, said, "the department is keen on implementing the CITES laws in combating the trade in endangered species in order to preserve the ecological balance and proper use of natural resources." http://www.wam.ae/en/news/general/1395270609610.html