More than 1,600 pounds of illicit ivory has been seized in Thailand after the elephant tusks were smuggled from Africa in pallets labelled as plywood furniture or notepads.

Customs authorities said Friday the 765 kilograms (1,683 pounds) of elephant tusks seized Tuesday was Thailand’s third big ivory seizure this year.

The shipment was seized Tuesday after the flight from Kenya arrived at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. Customs officials said it was worth 38.34 million baht (£778,000).

Ivory shipped to Thailand typically goes to carvers who make Buddhist statues, bangles and jewellery for sale to tourists or sale in other countries. Thailand is also a transit point for other markets such as China.

Telegraph