Malaysia: 24 pangolins saved from cooking pot

New Straits Times 18 Oct 12;

BUKIT KAYU HITAM: Members of the General Operations Force scored a triple victory when they stopped a motorist on his way to Thailand near here yesterday.

Not only did they save 24 pangolins destined for the cooking pot, they also nabbed the local for trying to smuggle out the protected animals and detained his friend who tried to bribe officers.

The force's northern brigade deputy commander Assistant Commissioner Khaw Kok Chin said the first suspect was detained during a routine check at the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex near here at 10am where they found 24 pangolins in a compartment under the back seat.

The man, in his 30s, called his friend, also in his 30s, who arrived shortly thereafter.

The second man offered him RM1,000 as an inducement not to take action against his friend.