WILDLIFE smuggling is now the fourth largest transnational organised crime, after drugs, weapons and human trafficking, and Malaysia is gaining infamy for being a key hub in the network.
The sordid trade in live exotic animals and parts of animals is run by at least 12 well-organised criminal cartels operating from countries in Africa and Asia. These criminals are believed to be raking in between US$7bil (RM32.5bil) and US$23bil (RM106.9bil) yearly.