The Egyptian authorities have seized over 1.5 tonnes of ivory smuggled from Sudan, constituting one of the largest seizures ever in the region, AFP reported on Tuesday. A statement from the Egyptian ministry of agriculture said that one Sudanese and two Egyptians were arrested on smuggling charges on Saturday and appeared before a military court on Sunday. Sudanese suspect Ali Hassan Abdul Rahman reportedly confessed to illegally entering Egypt for the purpose of selling ivory, after being caught trying to sneak back into Sudan. AFP said the Egyptian authorities were led to a home in southern Egypt and found 29 sacks containing 1,525 kg of uncut ivory. The court has deferred its ruling until 26 August to further investigate the evidence. The haul could be worth over US $1 million.
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