Malaysia busts attempt to smuggle over 5,000 terrapins

AFP 26 Jun 19;

Malaysian customs officers arrested two Indian men attempting to smuggle over 5,000 terrapins through the country to be sold as pets, officials said Wednesday.

The Southeast Asian country, home to rare animals such as orangutans and tigers, has become a hub for wildlife trafficking.

The men were detained at Kuala Lumpur's main airport last Thursday after they arrived from China with 5,255 red-eared terrapins.

The creatures -- packed into plastic containers inside two suitcases -- were worth 52,550 ringgit ($12,700), senior customs official Zulkurnain Mohamed Yusuf said.

Some died on the journey, although a large number survived.

"Our initial investigations found that (they) were brought in here for the purpose of being brought back to India," he told reporters.

Red-eared terrapins -- also known as red-eared sliders -- are popular pets and can be found in many shops around the world.

While they are not an endangered species and are commonly traded, permits are required to import them into Malaysia.

The suspects did not have the correct documents, and face up to five years in jail and a fine if convicted.

Zulkurnain said the two men, whose identities were not disclosed, had been remanded in custody and that the terrapins would be handed over to relevant officials.

Kanitha Krishnasamy, regional director of the wildlife trade watchdog Traffic, called the case "bizarre" as trade in the terrapins is legal.

"What is clear is how crazy the pet trade has become," she said.

Customs officials have in the past seized animal parts at Kuala Lumpur airport, but it is unusual for them to find a huge stash of live creatures.

Customs seizes 5,255 baby tortoises destined for India
justin zack The Star 26 Jun 19;

SEPANG: The Customs Department has seized 5,255 baby tortoises from two suspects on transit to India.

In a press conference at the department's office here, Central Zone Customs assistant director-general, Datuk Zulkurnain Mohamed Yusuf said that the seizure was made on June 20 at KLIA2.

"The two men had just arrived from Guangzhou, China. The checks conducted on their luggage led to the discovery of the red-eared slider tortoises.

"They were kept in baskets placed in their suitcases," he said.

The department estimated the total worth of the seizure to be around RM52,550.

"The importation of tortoises without licence is an offence under the Customs Act 1967.

"Both suspects have been remanded and will be charged in the near future," he said.

The tortoises, he added, would be handed over to the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan).

In an unrelated case, the department also arrested two drug smugglers who attempted to bring in their illicit goods via hidden compartments in their luggage.

"The first was arrested on June 19, after he arrived from Hyderabad, India.

"Scans of a box showed a suspicious image within. Further checks led to the discovery of a packet holding around 6.6kg of what we believe to be methamphetamine," Zulkurnain said.

The second case occurred the next day, around 1.30am.

A man who had just arrived from Bengaluru, India had his begs scanned. Again, suspicious images from the scans led to a more thorough search.

"We found 15 small packages hidden in three boxes that had been modified. In total, around 7.74kg of the same type of drugs were found," he said.

The combined worth of both drug seizures was estimated to be around RM717,000.

The two suspects are not thought to have any other links with each other, aside from the similar modus operandi.