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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/aug/04/eight-suitcases-full-of-ivory-seized-at-zurich-airport
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| Eight suitcases full of ivory seized at Zurich airport | Eight suitcases full of ivory seized at Zurich airport |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| Swiss authorities say customs officials at Zurich airport have seized 262kg (578lb) of ivory that three Chinese men had dispatched from Tanzania. | Swiss authorities say customs officials at Zurich airport have seized 262kg (578lb) of ivory that three Chinese men had dispatched from Tanzania. |
| Switzerland’s customs authority said the ivory – found during a security check on 6 July and packed in eight suitcases – had an estimated black-market value of about 400,000 Swiss francs (£265,000). | |
| The elephant tusks had been sawed into pieces to fit into the luggage, which was being transported from Dar es Salaam to Beijing via Zurich. The suitcases also contained 1kg of lion fangs and claws. | The elephant tusks had been sawed into pieces to fit into the luggage, which was being transported from Dar es Salaam to Beijing via Zurich. The suitcases also contained 1kg of lion fangs and claws. |
| Demand from China’s rising middle class has been fuelling illegal trade in ivory. Swiss customs said the Chinese men could face large fines. | Demand from China’s rising middle class has been fuelling illegal trade in ivory. Swiss customs said the Chinese men could face large fines. |