(MENAFN) Singapore announced on Tuesday that rhinoceros horns valued at over $800,000 were confiscated from a "suspicious shipment" bound for Vientiane, Laos, marking the largest seizure of its kind in the country’s history.

On November 8, authorities discovered and seized roughly 20 rhinoceros horn pieces weighing a total of 35.7 kg (78.7 pounds), following a tip-off from SATS Group, an air cargo handler at Singapore Changi Airport, the National Parks Board stated on the US social media platform Facebook.

"This is the largest-ever seizure of rhinoceros horns in Singapore, surpassing the previous record of 34.7 kg (76.5 pounds) in 2022," the statement noted.

In addition, approximately 150 kg (330 pounds) of other unidentified animal parts were also confiscated, with officials still in the process of determining their species.

"Singapore takes a zero-tolerance stance on the illegal trade of endangered wildlife species, and their parts and derivatives," the National Parks Board emphasized.

Under Singapore law, those found transporting animals protected by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) without proper permits may face fines of up to S$200,000 ($153,680) per specimen — totaling up to $768,403 or equivalent to the market value of the confiscated items — and/or imprisonment for up to eight years.

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