Authorities nab foreigner trying to smuggle wildlife worth RM13k at KLIA

Summary

• An Indian national flying to Tiruchirappalli International Airport, India, yesterday, was stopped by KLIA Aviation Security personnel and the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) officers.

• Checks on the person’s luggage revealed it contained three African spurred tortoises, four Sulawesi forest turtles and seven harlequin monitor lizards.

• Authorities estimated the smuggled animals' value at RM13,000.

Authorities arrested a suspected smuggler carrying 14 wildlife animals of various species at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) yesterday.

The foreigner was apprehended following a joint check by the Aviation Security Auxillary Police and the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan).

“The suspect is an Indian national flying off to Tiruchirappalli International Airport in Tamil Nadu, India.

“Checks on the individual’s luggage revealed it contained three African spurred tortoises, four Sulawesi forest turtles and seven harlequin monitor lizards," said the department on Facebook today.

The department said the suspect also failed to produce valid export permits for the animals.

Animals rescued, warnings issued

Perhilitan said all the animals, estimated to be worth RM13,000, were rescued.

“Exporting wildlife animals from Malaysia without permits is illegal under Section 65 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716) and Section 10 of the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 (Act 686).

“Any individuals involved in illegally keeping wildlife animals or committing wildlife crime should cease their activities or face stern action under the law,” said Perhilitan.

The public can support enforcement efforts against wildlife trading or smuggling activities by alerting Perhilitan via its hotline 1-800-88-5151 or its website.

KLIA hub for wildlife trafficking

Malaysia is considered a major transit point for the trafficking of endangered species to other parts of Asia.

Last month, Transport Minister Anthony Loke reprimanded Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) over rising cases of wildlife being smuggled out of the country.

He said it was a serious issue that the airport operator must take immediate steps to overcome.

Checked-in luggage falls under the purview of MAHB’s baggage handling services, not the Customs Department.

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