Police Arrest Nine People for Selling Elephant Ivory in Thailand

May 11, 2026, 11:26
AfricaEnvironment

Introduction

Thai police arrested nine people. They found 250 kilograms of illegal ivory from Africa.

Main Body

Police watched a Facebook group for many months. This group sold ivory items. Police went to eleven houses and took the ivory. The ivory is worth 9.9 million baht. The ivory came from Africa by ship to Vietnam. Then, people moved it into Thailand by river. The group made ivory beads and knife handles. They sold these items to people in Thailand and Vietnam. It is against the law to have African ivory in Thailand. Elephants are endangered animals. The nine people can go to prison for ten years. They must also pay a big fine. The government will destroy the ivory after the court case.

Conclusion

Police caught the nine leaders. This is the biggest ivory find in ten years. Police are now looking for people in Vietnam.

Learning

🌍 Moving Things (A to B)

In this story, things move from one place to another. We use the word from for the start and to/into for the end.

  • Africa β†’\rightarrow Vietnam β†’\rightarrow Thailand

Look at these patterns:

  • From Africa by ship to Vietnam. (Start β†’\rightarrow How β†’\rightarrow End)
  • Into Thailand by river. (Movement inside a country)

βš–οΈ The 'Rule' Words

When something is not allowed, we use these simple phrases:

  1. Against the law = Illegal / Not allowed.
  2. Endangered = In danger of disappearing forever.
  3. Fine = Money you pay as a punishment.

Example: It is against the law to have ivory. β†’\rightarrow You cannot do this.

Vocabulary Learning

police (n.)
An officer who works for the police.
Example:The police arrived quickly.
arrest (v.)
To take someone into custody.
Example:The police arrested the suspect.
nine (num.)
The number 9.
Example:There were nine people in the room.
people (n.)
Human beings.
Example:People can learn new languages.
found (v.)
To discover something.
Example:The police found the evidence.
illegal (adj.)
Not allowed by law.
Example:Illegal ivory is banned.
ivory (n.)
Hard white material from an elephant's tusk.
Example:Ivory is a precious material.
Africa (n.)
A continent in the southern hemisphere.
Example:Africa is a continent.
watched (v.)
To look at something carefully.
Example:They watched the video.
group (n.)
A set of people together.
Example:The group met online.
sold (v.)
To exchange something for money.
Example:They sold the items.
items (n.)
Things or objects.
Example:The items were valuable.
houses (n.)
Buildings where people live.
Example:The police searched houses.
took (v.)
To take or seize.
Example:Police took the evidence.
worth (n.)
The value of something.
Example:The items were worth a lot.
ship (n.)
A large boat for travel.
Example:The ship carried goods.
Vietnam (n.)
A country in Southeast Asia.
Example:Vietnam is in Asia.
moved (v.)
To change location.
Example:They moved the goods.
river (n.)
A large natural waterway.
Example:The river flows.
law (n.)
A rule that must be followed.
Example:The law protects wildlife.