Malaysia: Cops save 141 pangolins bound for the pot

SHARANPAL SINGH RANDHAWA The Star 24 May 17

ALOR SETAR: A total of 141 live pangolins were rescued by police following a raid at a double-storey house in Taman Desa Seraya here.

Police also found a stash of the animal's scales during the raid.

Kota Star district police chief Asst Comm Mohd Rozi Jidin said the raid was conducted about 2pm Tuesday following a tip-off.

"We received information of suspicious activities carried out and we sent a team to the scene to investigate. We had to break open the front door of the house before we found the endangered animals in sacks and boxes," he said.

ACP Mohd Rozi added that the pangolins were handed to the Kedah National Parks and Wildlife Department (Perhilitan) for further action.

Meanwhile, Kedah Perhilitan director Muhammad Ali Che Aman said that they were investigating the case under Section 68 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

He said that, offenders could be fined between RM50,000 and RM100,000, sentenced to a maximum of three years' jail or both if found guilty.


Poacher’s pangolin stash sniffed out
The Star 25 May 17;

ALOR SETAR: A strong smell coming from a double-storey house in Taman Desa Seraya led to the rescue of 141 live pangolins.

Police had to break down the front door with the help of firemen and discovered the scaly anteaters in sacks and boxes inside.

Kota Setar OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Rozi Jidin said they raided the house at 2pm on Tuesday after being told of suspicious activities inside.

“We rang the doorbell and knocked on the door, but there was no answer. We had to force open the locked door and found the animals,” he said.

Police believe that the pangolins, weighing between 2kg and 5kg each, were meant for consumption both locally and in neighbouring states.

ACP Mohd Rozi said they also seized a car which was said to belong to the suspected poacher. It had false registration plates and a forged road tax disc.

He added that the endangered animals had been handed over to the state Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) for further action.

The case is being investigated under Section 68 of the Wildlife Conservation Act, which carries a maximum fine of RM100,000 or up to three years’ jail, or both.

Pangolin meat is considered an exotic delicacy, while the scales are used in traditional medicine.

It is said that the live animal can fetch between RM400 and RM600 per kilo.

A neighbour, who declined to be named, said he had noticed a stench coming from the house since Saturday.

He said a man would usually come by at around midnight and leave at about 6am.

“He would be there only for a short time and in the wee hours,” the neighbour said.

“We could hear water running and some washing going on inside the house. Some of us tried ringing the doorbell to find out what was going on, but no one would answer.”

Another neighbour said she had not seen the suspect but could always hear water flowing out of the house into the drain.

The owner of the house, who wanted to be known only as Gun, was shocked to learn that his property had been used as a transit point for an endangered species.

“I rented out the house to a man from Seremban for two years,” Gun said.

“I have not seen him because he is always busy. The monthly rental was usually deposited into my bank account.”


140 live pangolins rescued from house in Alor Star
ZULIATY ZULKIFLI New Straits Times 24 May 17;

ALOR STAR: A total of 140 live pangolins were rescued following a police raid at a house in Taman Desa Seraya, Jalan Lencong Barat here, yesterday.

Kota Star district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Rozi Jidin said the raid was made about 2pm following a tip off.

“We received information of suspicious activities at the location and sent a team to investigate.

“We had to break open the front door of the house before we found the endangered animals in sacks and boxes,” he told a press conference this morning.

He said also found were scales, empty sacks and boxes.

Rozi said the pangolins were handed to the Kedah National Parks and Wildlife Department (Perhilitan) for further action.

Kedah Perhilitan director Muhammad Ali Che Aman, when contacted, said the department is investigating the case under Section 68 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

He said guilty parties could be fined not less than RM50,000 and not more than RM100,000 or up to three years’ jail, or both.