45 tonnes of red sandalwood seized in S'pore

[chinasuckz]

Updated: 11/22/2013 16:39 | By Channel NewsAsia

45 tonnes of red sandalwood seized in S'pore

SINGAPORE: Three containers with 45 tonnes of red sandalwood were stopped from moving out of Singapore.

The three containers were transiting through Singapore from India when they were stopped by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) and Singapore Customs on three separate days over two weeks in October and November this year.

The consignments were declared as "hot lime pickles" and "casting wheels" but they turned out to be 1,329 red sandalwood logs.

The authorities said this is the largest seizure of red sandalwood since 2011.

The seized red sandalwood is estimated to have a value of about S$5 million.

Red sandalwood is listed in Appendix II of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

Singapore is a signatory to the convention.

Under the convention, trading of red sandalwood requires a valid CITES export or re-export permit, licence, certificate or written permission issued by the authority of the country of export or re-export.

The authorities added that the Singapore government will not condone illegal wildlife going through the country.

The maximum penalty for illegal trade of red sandalwood is a fine of S$50,000 per specimen or a maximum total of S$500,000 and/or a jail term of up to two years. - CNA/xq