Elephant tusk discovered in luggage at Geneva airport

S
stenews
Wed, Mar 19, 2025 5:41 PM

Elephant tusk discovered in luggage at Geneva airport
Bluewin
March 19, 2025

Customs officials at Geneva Airport discovered an elephant tusk in the
luggage of a 68-year-old US citizen. The protected ivory was confiscated. A
fine was also imposed.

The American was stopped by customs officials last week as he was about to
board a flight from Geneva airport, as the federal customs authorities
announced on Wednesday. The employees of the Federal Office for Customs and
Border Security had been alerted by the airport security service.

Airport employees had reportedly discovered the ivory while x-raying
luggage. When checking the suitcase of the American citizen, customs
officials then discovered that it actually contained an elephant tusk
weighing 2.8 kilograms.

As ivory is internationally protected, import, export or transit is not
possible without a required Cites species protection certificate, which the
traveler did not possess, the Federal Office for Customs and Border
Security stated. The goods were confiscated and handed over to the Federal
Food Safety and Veterinary Office. The latter will initiate proceedings.

A fine deposit was demanded from the traveler, the customs authorities
added.

https://www.bluewin.ch/en/news/international/elephant-tusk-discovered-in-luggage-at-geneva-airport-2613522.html

Elephant tusk discovered in luggage at Geneva airport Bluewin March 19, 2025 Customs officials at Geneva Airport discovered an elephant tusk in the luggage of a 68-year-old US citizen. The protected ivory was confiscated. A fine was also imposed. The American was stopped by customs officials last week as he was about to board a flight from Geneva airport, as the federal customs authorities announced on Wednesday. The employees of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security had been alerted by the airport security service. Airport employees had reportedly discovered the ivory while x-raying luggage. When checking the suitcase of the American citizen, customs officials then discovered that it actually contained an elephant tusk weighing 2.8 kilograms. As ivory is internationally protected, import, export or transit is not possible without a required Cites species protection certificate, which the traveler did not possess, the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security stated. The goods were confiscated and handed over to the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office. The latter will initiate proceedings. A fine deposit was demanded from the traveler, the customs authorities added. https://www.bluewin.ch/en/news/international/elephant-tusk-discovered-in-luggage-at-geneva-airport-2613522.html