With a value of $ 18 million, the Malaysian authorities seize the “forbidden treasure”

The Malaysian authorities on Monday found a “treasure” whose contents amounted to about 80 million ringgit (18 million dollars), which is a container containing elephant tusks, pangolin scales, skulls and bones of other animals.

Malaysian Customs said in a statement that it discovered the prohibited shipment hidden behind wooden planks, after examining a ship from Africa on July 10.

The shipment included 6,000 kilograms of elephant tusks, 100 kilograms of pangolin scales, 25 kilograms of rhino horn and 300 kilograms of animal skulls, bones and horns, according to the Associated Press.
The Customs Authority added that investigations into the importer and the shipping agent are ongoing, without adding further details.

It was not clear if the container was supposed to be sent to another destination from Asia.

Ivory tusks, rhino horns and pangolin scales are believed by many to have medicinal properties, and are in great demand in Asia.