smuggled pangolins

April 20, 2002

1,200 frozen pangolins seized at Westport

By New Straits Times - April 20 2002.

PORT KLANG, April 19. — About 1,200 frozen pangolins concealed in fish

containers bound for Vietnam were seized at the Westport last Monday by the

Selangor Royal Customs and Excise Department.

Deputy Customs director-general (preventive) Datuk Zaleha Hamzah said today

that pangolin is a protected species under the Wildlife Act 1972.

It is believed that pangolin meat can enhance a person's sexual drive and

its scales be used for making a variety of products, including guitar

plectrums.

The carcasses of the pangolins were found in plastic bags hidden under

frozen kerisi fish.

" To escape detection, three pangolin carcasses were hidden in each carton of

fish. There were 405 cartons weighing 4,081.06kg with the total value of

RM204,053, " she said at the Customs Marine harbour. The pangolins were

seized about 3pm by enforcement officers who staked out a container at an

open space in Westport.

Zaleha said the penalty for exporting prohibited items without a permit is a

fine of between 10 and 20 times the value of Customs duty or imprisoned up

to three years, or both under the Customs Act 1967.

For making a false declaration, the culprits could be fined up to RM500,000

or imprisoned up to five years, she added.

Meanwhile, the Wildlife and National Parks Department Legal and Enforcement

Division deputy director Ab Jalal Kasim warned that anyone who poached the

animal could be fined RM3,000 or two years' jail or both under the Wildlife

Act.

In an unrelated case, Zaleha said the department seized 17,940 cartons of

kretek cigarettes worth about RM280,000 with unpaid duties of RM1.04 million

from two boats abandoned following a chase at sea near the Kering Strait

behind Ketam Island about 8.25pm yesterday.

" The boats landed at the beach and the crew fled on foot. "

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