The HCM City Environmental Police Department said last week that it had completed its investigation into the illegal trading, transporting and maintenance of two wild elephants in Cu Chi District.
Lieutenant Colonel Lam Hieu Nghia of the department said the two elephants were being kept by the Dang Vinh Construction, Trading and Services Ltd Co, in Phuoc Vinh An Commune, Cu Chi District.
Investigations showed that the two elephants were captured by H’Mong ethnic people in the forests of southern Binh Phuoc Province in 1971-1972.
The elephants were then kept by Dieu Cuoc, a resident of Binh Phuoc’s Bu Dang District. In 2004, Dang Vinh Co bought the pachyderms for VND 160 million (USD 9,411) and used a truck to illegally transport the animals at night to Cu Chi.
A contract had been signed to effect the illegal transaction, the police said, adding that due action would be taken against the culprits.