UAE | Government
Illegal goods seized during raids at Global Village
Leopard skin, snake skin, crocodile skin, shahtoosh shawls and other endangered animal products are increasingly becoming available at Global Village, Gulf News has learnt.
- By Emmanuelle Landais Staff Reporter
- Published: 18:53 February 5, 2008
Dubai: Leopard skin, snake skin, crocodile skin, shahtoosh shawls and other endangered animal products are increasingly becoming available at Global Village, Gulf News has learnt.
The Indian pavilion and some African pavilions were caught with shahtoosh shawls, ivory prayer beads and animal skin after inspectors from Dubai Municipality and the International Fund for Animal Welfare conducted surprise raids and inspections.
Dr Hashim Ahmad Fahmi from the veterinary services at the public health department of Dubai Municipality said the number of items is increasing every year. “The quantities are much more than before and they are being sold on the black market. We have confiscated a lot of items. Some are very expensive and unique and many people are in the habit of keeping them in their collections,'' he told Gulf News.
A shahtoosh shawl made from very fine wool from the necks of Tibetan antelopes can sell for around Dh40,000 while reptile skin or ivory can sell for Dh80,000 to Dh100,000.
He said there was no specific way for illegal products to enter the country and smugglers are finding any means to bring in endangered products. “We want to address this in a positive manner and educate people not to buy these products. We have made confiscations during surprise visits and raids,'' he said.
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and Dubai Municipality have launched the Think Twice Campaign to raise public awareness and educate tourists and consumers not to buy wildlife souvenirs.
The campaign targets shoppers to Think Twice and not buy wildlife souvenirs such as ivory, shahtoosh shawls, caviar, reptile skin products from snakes and crocodiles, fur of wildcats such as leopards and tigers. An expert from the International Fund for Animal Welfare said smuggling items in the country was relatively simple to do in a suitcase.
“CITES endangered species animal products can be hidden in a suitcase or bag and then sold at Global Village,'' he said.
“We are working with municipality inspectors to check for these items .... We have found one pavilion which had some shahtoosh. We test, confirm the items and then confiscate them. We came across leopard, crocodile and snake skin clothes,'' he said.
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