BANGKOK, SEPT 1: Thailand has seized 136 pangolins and 450 kilogrammes of its scales to be sent to Laos and China, said Goods Confiscation Section Acting Director, Vorachit Deachborvornlak.
He said, the pangolins and its valuable scales are suspected to originate from Indonesia and smuggled into Thailand from Malaysia.
“We believe that the pangolins originate from Indonesia and smuggled into Malaysia and Thailand to be sent to Laos and China as its final destinations,” he said as reported by BERNAMA.
He added that customs received information on the smuggling attempt and detected two pick-up trucks full of pangolins, driven by locals in Prachuabkhirikhan at about 2 a.m. local time.
Deachborornlak said, both men managed to escape into the darkness while the officers were inspecting the trucks, but he was confident they will be caught soon as their personal details and addresses have been obtained
“Officers found 136 live pangolins and five died later plus 450 kg of its scales,” he said.
He said, a kg of the scales can reach up to Baht10,000 (approximately RM1,250) and in China, the animals will be sold to restaurant owners who prepare exotic meals.
He said, this year his department has seized 2.9 tonnes of pangolins and its scales which are highly sought-after due to its high value.
Thailand seized 136 pangolins in a smuggling attempt
