THREE INDONESIANS ARRESTED FOR SMUGGLING PANGOLINS

IPOH (Perak, Malaysia), Dec 18 (Bernama) -- The northern state of Perak Wildlife
and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) seized 153 pangolins, also known as
scaly anteaters, and arrested three Indonesians who attempted to smuggle in the
animals, near Lumut, on Thursday.

Its director Shabrina Mohd Shariff said the arrests were made by a Royal
Malaysian Navy (RMN) team which detected the boat had crossed 12 nautical miles
from the Malaysia-Thailand maritime border.

"The Laksamana Hang Nadim vessel which was patrolling the area proceeded to
detain the boat for inspection.

"Following inspection, the team found that the three men from Belawan, Sumatra,
did not have valid travel documents and had tried to smuggle the protected
animals into the country.

"They arrested them before handing them over to Perhilitan's Enforcement
Division," she said.

Shabrina said the men were waiting for buyers to pick up the animals worth about
RM200,000 (US$63,806).

She said the suspects were remanded for further investigation.
-- BERNAMA



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