Smuggling of wild animals, plants must be strictly dealt with
Smuggling of wild animals, plants must be strictly dealt with: Deputy PM
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has assigned the Ministries of Public Security, National Defence, Finance, and Industry and Trade to intensify preventive measures and strictly handle the illegal smuggling and transportation of wild animals and plants.
Rhino horns seized at Noi Bai International Airport (Source: antt.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh has assigned theMinistries of Public Security, National Defence, Finance, and Industry andTrade to intensify preventive measures and strictly handle the illegalsmuggling and transportation of wild animals and plants.
According to assessments of severalinternational experts, Vietnam has become a hot spot for the smuggling and useof products of wild animals and plants in Southeast Asia.
The country has also been said to serve asa major centre for the illegal trading of wild animal products. Many large-volumecross-border smuggling cases have been detected, while the use of elephanttusks and rhino horns, as well as the slaughter of wild animals to serveparties, are still common occurrences amongst Vietnamese people.
Due to these actions, many species of wildanimals are at risk of going extinct, thus threatening biodiversity across theregion.
Statistics of the Supreme People’s Court ofVietnam showed that from 2015-2017, the court handled 231 cases violatingregulations on wild and endangered animals with 339 people involved – of whomeight were sentenced to 3-7 years in prison, and 96 received under-3-yearimprisonment sentences. –VNA
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Rhino horns seized at Noi Bai International Airport (Source: antt.vn) 
