Customs foil attempt to smuggle in 435 exotic pets, including two orang utans, via new sea route

Subromaniam (second from right) looks at one of the seized orang utans. Also pictured are Kedah Customs director Datuk Johari Alifiah (right) and Perlis Perhilitan officers.

KANGAR: The Customs Department thwarted an attempt by wildlife traffickers to use a new sea route from Sumatra to smuggle in 435 exotic animals, including two orang utans and 48 baby saltwater crocodiles.

The new wildlife smuggling route from Sumatra is to an area between Pulau Langkawi and the Kuala Perlis jetty.