Local authorities have seized 1 ton of ivory smuggled from Kenya, the fifth such seizure in the past month.

The ivory was hidden in timber in two containers en route to Cambodia via Vietnam.

A customs official said the shipment was seized today at Cat Lai port in the southern commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City.

Earlier this month, authorities seized 3.5 tons of ivory in three shipments illegally imported from Africa at the same port.

State media say 1 ton of ivory costs over $2.3 million on the black market.

Elephant ivory is used as jewellery and home decorations in Vietnam, which bans hunting of its own dwindling population of elephants.

– with AP