141 smuggled pangolins seized

ALOR STAR: Some 141 live pangolins of the 'Manis Javanica' variety that were believed to be smuggled abroad, were seized by the Kedah Wildlife Department and the police in a raid on a house in Taman Desa Seraya, yesterday evening.
Kedah Wildlife Department director Muhammad Ali Che Aman said, the seizure was made following a tip-off received by the police on a premises used to store pangolins before they were sold.
"A team of seven policemen and four wildlife department staff carried out a raid on the premises involved and found the pangolins, a protected species under Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716). In the raid, a Chinese man who rented the house was not at home. Its owner was then called to give a statement for further investigation,” he said in a statement today.
According to Muhammad Ali, the case is being investigated under Section 68(2)(a) which provides for a fine of between RM50,000 and RM100,000, or a jail term of up to three years, or both, if convicted.
Meanwhile, Kota Setar police chief ACP Mohd Rozi Jidin said, also seized were items such as baskets, nets and trollies believed to be connected to the case. — Bernama