PUTRAJAYA, Sept 16 — The Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) seized 50 units of rhino horns worth RM30 million after arresting two local men suspected of being involved in wildlife smuggling in Sepang on September 9.
The duo was detained at the roundabout near the KLIA mosque in Sepang under the Khazanah Central Zone Integrated Operation and Perhilitan also seized a lorry and documents related to the smuggling of rhino horns.
“Based on our records, the seizure of the rhino horns this time is the largest in five years,” said Perhilitan in a statement yesterday.
It said that the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis would be done on the 50 rhino horns to identify the source country of the rhinos.
“So far, the rhino horns are suspected to have been smuggled from abroad,” said Perhilitan.
According to Perhilitan, rhino species and parts of them are “protected” and “fully protected” under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716).
It is also listed under Appendix I of the International Trade in Endangered Species Act (Act 686) that is aimed at regulating the international trade of these species for commercial purposes.
Perhilitan said the two men would be investigated under Section 68 of Act 716 for possession of any fully protected wildlife which, if convicted, carries penalties of up to a RM100,000 fine or three years in jail or both.
According to Perhilitan, there had been five cases related to the smuggling of rhino horns, involving 96 units of rhino horns in the last 10 years.
— Bernama
