Smuggler Carrying Ivory Figures Hidden In Cheap Souvenirs Caught At Austrian Airport

Customs in Austria have caught a man smuggling banned ivory figurines hidden inside cheap wooden souvenirs.

Officials in the city of Vienna, Austria, laid their hands on the 54-year-old Polish national before he walked through the ‘nothing to declare’ lane at the end of June 2023.

The man had reportedly just arrived via a connecting flight from Istanbul, Turkey, after previously having boarded a plane from Uganda, when customs pulled him aside to check his luggage.

And they were shocked when x-ray scans revealed several wooden hand-carved souvenirs that unearthed ten forbidden ivory figurines hidden inside when broken.

According to EU laws, import of elephant ivory is prohibited except under strict conditions for pre-1975 musical instruments, and for antiques from before 1947, if sold to a museum.

The officers immediately seized the ivory items and fined the Pole EUR 800 (GBP 686).

It was not disclosed whether he would face legal issues for the prohibited import.

Following the seizure, Finance Minister Magnus Brunner, 51, said: “It is important to me that our future generations can also experience elephants outside of a zoo in their natural environment and that this species is preserved on our planet.

“The expertise and commitment of our customs officers is helping curb the illegal trade in endangered species.

“The customs are making a vital contribution, and I am grateful for this successful work on behalf of wildlife conservation.”