SEPANG: An Indian national has pleaded guilty in the Sessions Court here to a charge of attempting to smuggle out 2,578 red-eared turtles at the KL International Airport Terminal 1.
Sathaiyan Alagusundaram made the plea yesterday after the charge was read out to him in Tamil before judge Ahmad Fuad Othman, who then set Sept 19 for mention for sentencing.
No bail was granted for the accused, who was unrepresented, Bernama reported.
Deputy public prosecutor Mas Izzaty Lokman appeared for the prosecution.
Sathaiyan was charged with attempting to smuggle 2,578 turtles, which are controlled species under the Fifth Schedule of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716), at Gate G8, KLIA Terminal 1, here at 10.05pm on Aug 5.
He was charged under Section 117(1) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, read with Section 511 of the Penal Code.
The accused faces a fine not exceeding RM30,000 or a maximum imprisonment of one year, or both, upon conviction.
