BANGKOK, May 27 — A Malaysian man was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand for allegedly trying to smuggle over 250 live wild animals to India, as authorities continue efforts to combat international wildlife trafficking.
BANGKOK, May 27 — A Malaysian man was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand for allegedly trying to smuggle over 250 live wild animals to India, as authorities continue efforts to combat international wildlife trafficking.
The 34-year-old suspect was detained during a joint operation carried out on May 24 by Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation together with several enforcement agencies. Officers stopped him around 3.45am near boarding gate F3 at the international departure terminal.
Thai authorities said the man was scheduled to fly from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, India.
During an inspection of his checked luggage, officers discovered various live animals hidden inside a wheeled suitcase. The animals included two helmeted hornbills, two Patagonian maras, 62 iguanas, five monitor lizards, 100 blue-tongued skinks and 80 freshwater turtles.
Authorities said the suspect is facing charges under Thailand’s Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act 2019, Customs Act 2017, Animal Epidemics Act 2015 and Fisheries Royal Ordinance 2015.
He has since been handed over to investigators at Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station for further action.
The rescued animals, many of which were still alive, were transferred to wildlife and fisheries authorities for care, identification and as part of the investigation.
Thai authorities are also widening their probe to track down others believed to be connected to the wildlife trafficking syndicate. — Bernama
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