Just put money there is prohibited goods

The first place for reporters is Cau Dat street, Ngo Quyen district, TP. Hai Phong. The bustling neighborhood with dozens of large and small gold shops trading gold, silver and gems products. People near their area said: "In the past, almost every shop in this street had ivory products but last time, authorities checked so they sold very tightly."

As a gold buyer, the reporter chose a large gold shop named QH at address 98 Cau Dat, TP. Hai Phong. Inside the shop, the owner has a corner to display ivory jewelry such as bracelets, Buddha images ... Each product is bar code-attached and clearly annotated in volume, size, price. money.

Seeing us suspect that jewelry is made of plastic or animal bones, a male employee of the shop opened the phone and turned on the light that illuminated the ivory ring, which appeared fresh pink and many small lines like a thread. “If it is fake, there will be no bright pink color and texture like this when light is illuminated. The store you sell is reputable here, it’s 100 percent real, ” said the salesman.

The staff of the Golden Shop told reporters to see the certificate of receipt as real ivory.

Visiting some other shops in Cau Dat, the group obtained many similar images and information, most of them sold products made from ivory, and even some shops actively asked for phone numbers. to connect via zalo, facebook to conveniently post offers images. “I connected with you through zalo so I could send you pictures, but the goods banned me from showing here. If you just deposit in advance, you can buy the ivory section, too, ” said NC gem store employee. Leaving the store for a long time, the reporter received a picture of almost 10 cm ivory pieces through zalo and a series of bracelets (price of about 7 million). , small will have different prices.

From the source of information and images collected, the group contacted the Environmental Police Department, Hai Phong City Police, but the representative of this unit said there must be guidance from the higher level to work. The Hai Phong Police Department also refused to meet reporters on the grounds that the leaders were busy meeting: "We will report to leaders and contact you soonest, and only work with journalists. " - cadre received reporters said. Up to now, after more than 3 weeks have passed, reporters have not received any feedback from Hai Phong City Police.

Ivory was discovered and arrested by Hai Phong Customs Department.

Mr. Nguyen Thai Hung - Head of the Control Team, Hai Phong Customs Department said: “From 2013 to now, this unit seized and confiscated more than 15,470 kg of ivory (03 years from 2016 to 2018 not detected Which one? In particular, since early 2019, Hai Phong Customs has seized more than 4,078 kg of ivory, seized ivory exhibits originating from Africa, mainly hidden in containers through transport. Illegally moving goods across borders at port areas in the area.

Illegal ivory seizures have all been handed over to the police for handling. However, most cases must be suspended from investigation because the owner cannot be caught. Cargo ships are only transport units so they cannot arrest them, so the handling cases are very difficult ... ”.

Break the spot selling ivory "wearing clothes" jewelry

In addition to Hai Phong, one of the bustling administrative centers of Quang Ninh province is Ha Long City, which attracts a lot of tourists inside and outside the country to stay and shop, also trade ivory "guise" page. strength.

Reaching the gold shop TH at Ha Long market gate, the group was shown by the shopkeeper the silver-tipped fangs and introduced him to the new quarter of Bai Chay ward, where his brothers are selling jewelry from Ivory.

Tiger fangs and bear claws are sold at a store near Ha Long market.

Contrary to the precaution of some shops in the west, the GN shop in Vuon Dao street is selling and offering quite publicly. The signboard consisted of both Vietnamese and Chinese, and inside was sold dozens of ivory rings and elephant tail feathers ... Even the owner did not hesitate to show three boxes containing hundreds of ivory-made products. For customers to choose, from bracelets, combs, necklaces to buddha statues, souvenirs, some beautifully carved items. "This is a real product, if you are willing to buy it, you will pay the price, ranging from 3 to 8 million VND / product on average," said the owner.

After a thorough investigation, the reporters actively contacted the Environmental Police Department, Quang Ninh Provincial Police to provide information and coordinate GN checks.

Products made from ivory were confirmed by the GN shop owner in Vuon Dao street to be genuine before being seized by authorities.

Contact the Quang Ninh Police Department, the group introduced to work with Mr. Dang The Dung - Head of Environment Police Department. After hearing the news, Mr. Dung said: “There is no selling ivory in the area, the items are sold all fake, plastic goods.” However, before the information and images provided by reporters Mr. Dung agreed to send three police officers and reporters to the Market Management Team No. 1 and 5 to coordinate the handling.

At the store, Mr. Pham Anh Tuan - Head of Market Management Team No. 1 and 5 witnessed and listened to the shop owner affirmed: "This is ivory, is the real product, this bracelet sells 8 million dong" . As soon as the captain inspected, three police officers from the Environmental Police Department seized more than 3 kg of exhibits. The shop owner was recorded and the case was handed over to Ha Long City Police for further investigation and handling.

Shop owners sell ivory products.

Talking to reporters on August 14, leaders of the Environmental Police Department, Quang Ninh Police Department said: "The inspection results show that among more than 3 kg of exhibits, there are 1.7 kg of ivory exhibits. Actually, the rest are jewelry made from plastic. The case is being handled according to regulations ”.