Spanish authorities have confiscated dozens of ivory carvings believed to have been crafted from the tusks of endangered African and Asian elephants, as part of an ongoing investigation into environmental and smuggling crimes.
In a statement, the Guardia Civil said it had recovered 127 carved ivory pieces of varying dimensions – many of them featuring Asian-inspired motifs – from a commercial business operating in the eastern province of Valencia.
Among the seized items was an uncarved tusk measuring 1.77 metres in length and weighing 22 kilograms, which officials believe may date back to the 19th century.
According to investigators, none of the items were accompanied by the required legal documentation. The police estimated that the damage to wildlife was €14 million, and that the commercial value of items seized was €226,630.
Scientific analysis confirmed the ivory originated from African and Asian elephants, both species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
One woman has been arrested in connection with the case, while four others are currently under investigation.
Despite international trade bans, the World Wildlife Fund estimates that roughly 20,000 African elephants are still poached each year for their tusks.
Ivory – often referred to as ‘white gold’ – has long been a coveted material, historically used in decorative carvings, jewellery, weapons and musical instruments.
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#OperacionesGC | Intervenidas 127 piezas de marfil procedente de elefantes asiáticos y africanos
▶️ El daño a la fauna alcanza los 14M € y el valor comercial los 226.630 €
▶️Una persona ha sido detenida y otras cuatro han sido investigadas
▶️Estos coleccionistas acudían a… pic.twitter.com/b0bpCFcC26
— Guardia Civil (@guardiacivil) August 4, 2025
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