Elephant tusks have been uncovered in one of the largest ever seizures of ivory at Heathrow Airport.

More than 110kg of ivory was found in baggage left abandoned in transit from Angola on its way to Hanover, Germany on October 14.

Among the haul discovered by Border Force officers at Terminal 4 were raw tusks, carved bangles and beads.

Phil Douglas, director of Border Force Heathrow said: “This is one of the largest seizures of its kind made in the UK and it demonstrates the vigilance of our officers.

"The illicit trade in animal products like ivory is a serious contributory factor in the threat of extinction faced by many endangered species and that is why the rules around it are so strict.

“Border Force takes its role in preventing illegal wildlife trafficking very seriously and, working together with our partners in the UK and internationally, we are determined to bring it to an end.”

Ivory haul uncovered by Border Force officers at Heathrow Airport

The items were taken away for forensic analysis who confirmed the products were ivory - the trade which is strictly controlled under the Convention in International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Rules state items can only be brought into or sent out of the EU if the correct permits have been issued.

The ivory seizure is now the subject of an ongoing investigation by the National Crime Agency.

Alexander Rhodes, CEO of the Stop Ivory Group said: "Ivory represents dead elephants. Seizing illegal shipments of ivory is a grizzly but essential business.

"Border Force and the NCA should be congratulated on this major haul."

The Heathrow-based Border Force CITES team are specialist officers who work closely with the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), NCA and police to provide expert advice on border operational issues.

Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to smuggling and trafficking of any kind should call the UK hotline on: +44 (0)800 59 5000.