Man caught with over 500 kgs of ivory, allegedly tries to bribe police
Police in the northern province of Bac Giang arrested a truck driver transporting 553 kilograms of elephant tusks from Hanoi to Lang Son Province on May 21.
Nguyen Quang Huy, 28, failed to present documents verifying the origin of the tusks, when his truck was flagged down by local traffic police.
Police officers also accused Huy of offering to pay them a bribe of VND500 million (US$22,400) to get away, according to the website.
The case is being investigated.
Vietnam has banned ivory trade since the 1990s, and yet it has been fueled by the rising affluence in recent years and the demand for using ivories for decoration.
Some studies suggested that the country is one of the biggest markets for wildlife as many people believe rare animal parts can cure diseases, despite a lack of scientific evidence.
Wildlife protection organizations in the country have been asking celebrities and doctors to campaign against the belief.
