In Malaysia’s fight against wildlife trafficking, authorities have encountered various “creative” smuggling methods employed by miscreants.
One of the most common is attempting to pass off the animals as other items.
It is said that airport authorities recently thwarted an attempt to smuggle over a hundred turtles disguised as socks. Did this really happen?
Verdict:
TRUE
Authorities at Terminal 2 of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) foiled an attempt to smuggle more than RM30,000 worth of scorpion mud turtles hidden in containers filled with socks on Wednesday (Nov 26).
The operation was a joint effort between the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), KLIA Auxiliary Police and the Aviation Security (Avsec) team.
Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said a Vietnamese man was detained at around 11.20am after a baggage scan detected suspicious images believed to be live wildlife.
"A subsequent inspection of a cardboard box containing two plastic containers revealed 116 scorpion mud turtles, estimated to be worth RM30,808.63,” he said when contacted on Thursday (Nov 27).
Initial investigations showed that the suspect was scheduled to board a flight to Hanoi departing at 12.50pm on Wednesday.
All seized items have been taken to the Perhilitan office at KLIA for further action.
“An investigation is ongoing to determine the suspect’s role. The case is being probed under the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 (Act 686),” he said.
