National Parks Board and SATS foil attempt to smuggle 35.7 kg of rhinoceros horns; seizure by NParks marks largest haul of rhinoceros horns in Singapore to date

18 November 2025 – On 8 November 2025 (Saturday), SATS, an air cargo handler at Singapore Changi Airport, detected a suspicious shipment of four pieces of cargo en route to Vientiane, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and an inspection by SATS staff revealed that their contents were inconsistent with the declared contents of “Furniture Fittings”. The Airport Police Division of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the National Parks Board (NParks) were alerted and upon further inspection, 20 pieces of rhinoceros horns weighing 35.7 kg, along with around 150 kg of other animal parts were uncovered and seized by NParks. This marks the largest seizure of rhinoceros horns in Singapore to date, surpassing the previous record of 34.7 kg of rhinoceros horns seized in October 2022.

On 8 November 2025 (Saturday), SATS received four pieces of cargo booked on a flight bound for Vientiane, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. During the routine screening and acceptance checks, SATS Cargo Acceptance staff member Vengadeswaran A/L Letchumanan noticed irregularities with the shipment that raised his suspicion.

When checking the suspicious cargo, Mr Vengadeswaran detected a strong odour coming from the package. Upon closer visual examination, he suspected that the contents were inconsistent with the declared contents on the airway bill, which listed the shipment as furniture fittings, and that the cargo should undergo further screening. He immediately alerted his Duty Manager, who then activated SATS Security Services to conduct a detailed inspection of the shipment.

Under the supervision of the Duty Manager, a SATS Security Officer and the cargo agent, one of the pieces of cargo was opened for inspection. Inside were what appeared to be animal parts. The remaining three pieces of cargo subsequently underwent X-ray screening and were found to contain similar contents. These checks were in accordance with standing procedures for inspecting suspicious cargo.

NParks’ inspection uncovered 20 pieces of rhinoceros horns, along with around 150 kg of other animal parts, which include bones, teeth and claws. In total, the 20 pieces of rhinoceros horns are estimated to be worth about S$1,130,000 (approximately US$870,000) . Investigations by NParks found that the shipment of rhinoceros horns originated from South Africa.

Based on species identification conducted at NParks’ Centre for Wildlife Forensics, the 20 pieces of rhinoceros horns were identified as White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum). Species identification of the other animal parts is ongoing. 

Rhinoceroses are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and international trade in rhinoceros horns is prohibited. Singapore is a signatory to CITES and is committed to international efforts to curb illegal wildlife trade to ensure the long-term survival of these animals. The horns will subsequently be disposed of according to CITES guidelines to prevent them from re-entering the market, disrupting the global supply chain of illegally traded rhinoceros horns.

Under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act (“ESA”), the maximum penalties for the trade in CITES-scheduled Appendix I species transiting through Singapore without a valid CITES permit are a fine of up to S$200,000 for each specimen of that scheduled species in transit in Singapore (not exceeding S$1,000,000 or the market value of the specimens) and/or up to eight years’ imprisonment. In Singapore, the penalties for such transit cases are the same as that for the import and export of CITES-scheduled species without a valid CITES permit. 

Singapore adopts a zero-tolerance stance on the illegal trade of endangered wildlife species, and their parts and derivatives. Our agencies collaborate closely in a multi-pronged, whole-of-government approach. This includes working with our international partners, to maintain vigilance in regulating and enforcing against illegal wildlife trade.

The community can play a key role as well by ensuring their purchases do not contain animal parts of endangered species, and not contributing to the demand for the illegal trade of wildlife. Members of the public can contact NParks at cites@nparks.gov.sg if they spot any occurrences of illegal wildlife trade. Information shared will be kept strictly confidential.

Dr Anna Wong, Senior Director of Wildlife Trade, NParks and nominated Chair of Committee II at the upcoming twentieth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES, said: “Illegal wildlife trade threatens the survival of endangered species, driving habitat destruction and biodiversity loss on a global scale. As a signatory to CITES, Singapore is committed to international efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade to safeguard the long-term survival of these animals. NParks adopts a multi-pronged approach to enforce against illegal wildlife trade. This includes working with agencies and partners like SATS to conduct checks at our border checkpoints, as well as conducting training to enhance skills and share expertise with counterparts on detecting smuggled wildlife and wildlife products. NParks is also actively enforcing laws against illegal wildlife trade, carrying out surveillance at physical marketplaces, monitoring online marketplaces, and taking enforcement action. We also urge the public to play their part by not purchasing wildlife parts and products.”

Mr Kuah Boon Kiam, Senior Vice President of SATS Cargo Services, said: “This case demonstrates the critical role our frontline staff play in safeguarding Singapore’s air cargo operations. Thanks to Mr Vengadeswaran’s instinct, diligence and escalation of concerns, we were able to help NParks make the largest rhinoceros horn seizure in Singapore to date. We are proud of his actions and remain committed to working with partner agencies like NParks and our airline partners to safeguard the integrity of Singapore’s air cargo hub.”

On 4 October 2022, NParks’ K9 Unit detected and inspected two pieces of baggage at Singapore Changi Airport and found 20 pieces of rhinoceros horns weighing 34.7 kg – the largest seizure of rhinoceros horns in Singapore at the time. The owner of the bags, South African Gumede Sthembiso Joel, was immediately arrested.

During the course of investigations, NParks, with support from Commercial Affairs Department (CAD) of SPF and INTERPOL, deployed officers to South Africa for further investigations and evidence analysis. This close multinational cooperation between NParks, CAD, the Attorney-General’s Chambers, South African Police Service and INTERPOL resulted in a successful conclusion, and for their efforts, these agencies were jointly awarded the Asia Environmental Enforcement Recognition of Excellence (AEEE) on 17 October 2025, coordinated by the United Nations Environment Programme.

On 26 January 2024, Gumede was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to two charges under the ESA  for transiting in Singapore with rhinoceros horns without a valid permit. This is the heaviest sentence meted out in Singapore to date for a case involving the smuggling of wildlife parts.