MANILA, Philippines (AFP) - Customs police on Thursday lodged a complaint against two suspects over the alleged illegal importation of about 3.5 tons of elephant tusks from Tanzania, the justice department said. Ivory tusks are usually carved into religious images, ornaments and mahjong tiles in Asia.

Two shipments of ivory that were fraudulently declared as plastics products, arrived at the port of Manila from Dar es Salaam in March and were seized after a customs inspection, the department said in a statement.

Customs police estimated the shipment was worth at least P240 million (3.1 million USD, 3.4 milion euros). They want the alleged importer, Antonio Vinavillas, and the alleged customs broker for the tusks, Marilyn Pacheco, indicted for smuggling.

Under the country’s legal system, state prosecutors evaluate the evidence and give the accused an opportunity to refute the evidence against them before deciding to either dismiss the case or file criminal charges in the judiciary.

A formal complaint filed by customs chief Napoleon Morales accused Vinavillas and Pacheco of violating the country's Wildlife Resources Conservation Act under an international treaty protecting endangered species.

The law requires imports of elephant tusks to be covered by government permits. Breaking that law is punishable with a six-year prison term.

Neither of the accused, who are not under arrest, could be reached for comment Thursday.
Customs officials alleged the businessman and his broker had declared the shipments as plastic sheets and related products.

"In fact, in order to conceal subject shipment, said items were placed at the innermost portion of the container van with plastic scraps at the outer part of it," the complaint read.