Malaysian officials seize African elephant tusks and pangolin scales worth £15m

Malaysian customs officials with the seized elephant tusks (Vincent Thian/AP)

Malaysian authorities said they have seized a container of African elephant tusks, pangolin scales and other animal skulls and bones estimated to be worth 80 million ringgit (£15 million).

The customs department said it discovered the contraband hidden behind sawn timber following checks on July 10 on a ship coming from Africa.