Wildlife trafficking via KLIA shows no sign of slowing down, another nabbed

Summary

• Another Indian national flying to Tiruchirappalli International Airport, India, has been nabbed by KLIA authorities for attempting to smuggle wildlife out of the country.

• The man was caught with an agile gibbon and six red-eared slider turtles in his luggage.

Less than a week after making a similar arrest, KLIA Aviation Security personnel and Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) officers nabbed another Indian national trying to smuggle wildlife out of Malaysia.

Acting on intelligence, the team and KLIA auxiliary police stopped a man who was flying to Tiruchirappalli International Airport, India, yesterday.

After detaining the suspect, they conducted further checks on his luggage.

“We found and rescued an agile gibbon and six red-eared slider turtles,” said Perhilitan on Facebook today.

The department said the man also failed to produce permits to export the animals out of the country.

“He is detained for committing offences under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008,” added Perhilitan.

On April 15, authorities nabbed an Indian man attempting to smuggle wildlife worth around RM13,000 to Tamil Nadu, India via KLIA.

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

Wildlife trafficking hub

Perhilitan has repeatedly warned against illegally keeping wild animals or committing wildlife crimes and urged those involved to cease their activities or face stern action.

The public can support enforcement efforts against wildlife trading or smuggling activities by alerting Perhilitan via its hotline 1800-88-5151 or its website.

Malaysia is considered a major transit point for the trafficking of endangered animals 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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