KUALA LUMPUR: Police foiled a wildlife smuggling attempt by an international syndicate, seizing RM1.8 million worth of rare baby crocodiles and turtles, and arrested a foreign man in a special operation at Kuala Lumpur International Airport yesterday.
Federal Internal Security and Public Order Department acting director Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said authorities seized 30 baby julung-julung crocodiles and 14 Indian Eyed Turtles which are rare species that can fetch thousands of ringgit.
"Checks showed the suspect was transporting the controlled wildlife species from a South Asian country and the consignment was in transit at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) before being sent to another destination. We believe that this arrest is connected to an international wildlife smuggling operation syndicate," he said in a statement today.
He said the estimated worth of the seizures exceeded RM1.8 million.
"Preliminary investigations reveal that the seized species have a high value and demand in the black market. The selling price for one baby julung-julung crocodile is RM60,000, while each Indian Eyed Turtle is valued at RM1,350," Yusoff said.
He said throughout this year, until the recent success, the authorities had conducted 135 raids nationwide, resulting in the arrest of 384 individuals for various offences related to the smuggling of uncustomed goods, hiding controlled and subsidised items and wildlife trafficking.
"To date the total estimated value of seizures is over RM420 million," he said.
Yusoff said the latest case was being investigated under Section 68 (1) and Section 69 (1) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.