Pangolin smuggler nabbed in Malaysia after stake-out

The Star 29 Sep 09;

MUAR: A stake-out by the General Operation Force (GOF) intelligence unit led to the seizure of live pangolins being transported in a car near here.

A 24-year-old man was arrested after a short car chase at Sungai Sarang Buaya in Bakri, near here, at about 11pm on Sunday.

About 40 live pangolins, including several babies, were recovered from the car.

The successful seizure followed four days of stake-out by a team headed by Asst Supt Azha Ahmad.

The team had stationed itself at the river estuary and spotted two boats approaching the coast.

One returned to the sea after the other landed near the estuary.

Two men then began loading sacks of the pangolins into a car and sped away after realising they were being watched, said ASP Azha.

“Our men gave chase. After about 100m, the driver lost control of the car and skidded into the river.

“However, he managed to escape in the dark but his friend was arrested,” he said.

ASP Azha said the seized animals, with an estimated street value of over RM70,000, were surrendered to the Wildlife and National Parks Department here.

He said the man, from Kampung Parit Enam in Sungai Balang, had been detained to assist investigations into the smuggling of pangolins from Indonesia.

Pangolins are protected animals. The case will be investigated under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.