KHARTOUM, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Authorities in Sudan have arrested a number of people suspected of dealing in ivory in a rare crackdown on the illegal trade, the Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.

Nearly 400 ivory sculptures, about 150 bracelets and 20 vases were seized as well as sacks of raw ivory and other, the ministry said in a statement.

It did not say how many suspected traders were arrested.

Trade in ivory is illegal in Sudan although ivory statues or camel bone substitutes can be found in some shops in markets.

Elephants and other wildlife were mostly driven from Sudan's south during decades of civil war but they have begun to make their way back to their habitats since 2005 following a peace deal.

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