KUALA LUMPUR: A 17-year-old teenager was caught running an illegal reptile and amphibian farm at his house in Seri Petaling.
The student had allegedly amassed wealth by smuggling and selling various reptile species, including cobras and pythons, as exotic pets.
A team from the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) raided his house in Bandar Seri Petaling on Friday, exposing his illegal activities.
Perhilitan Director-General Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the 5pm raid was conducted following intelligence reports on the illegal wildlife trade.
He said the raid led to the discovery of several reptiles and amphibians stored in special containers at the house.
"Among the animals seized were a cobra, a reticulated python, a red-tailed pipe snake, two mangrove pit vipers, a water monitor lizard, three Tokay geckos, and ten African fat-tailed geckos.
"The team also confiscated 30 tarantulas, including three Singapore blue tarantulas and a Vietnam blue tarantula, all stored in separate containers," he said.
Abdul Kadir said the suspect failed to produce permits or valid documentation to keep or trade the wildlife, violating the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.
"The animals were seized, and the suspect was handed over to the Brickfields district police headquarters for further investigation," he said.
Abdul Kadir highlighted the seriousness of keeping and selling protected wildlife without proper licensing.
"Many people use social media to sell protected wildlife, which is a serious offence," he said, warning others against such activities.
Wildlife, smuggling, selling, farm, Wildlife Conservation Act, raid, permit, Malaysia, News, NST