U.S. Customs agents seize smuggled ivory from Ethiopia

(KHOU.com) HOUSTON — U.S. Customs agents on Monday seized a large container at the Port of Houston from Ethiopia. Inside what was supposed to be musical drums was $185,000 in elephant ivory.

Smugglers were trying to slip the illegal cargo into the country. The real elephant ivory would have been used to make bracelets and other jewelry.

Elephants are an internationally protected animal and ivory shipping is illegal.