Authorities have arrested three Taiwanese nationals after discovering dozens of rare animals stuffed into nylon stockings and hidden on their bodies as they attempted to leave the country through Don Mueang Airport.
Police from the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED), wildlife checkpoint and customs officials at Don Mueang airport apprehended three Taiwanese men involved in a transnational wildlife trafficking network while they were about to smuggle rare animals out of the country on Thursday, Pol Maj Gen Anek Taosupap, NED commander said on Friday.
The suspects were identified as Hsu Ching Chung, 53; Hong Zhi-Xian, 40; and Yang Tsung-Ju, 36. Officers seized 52 protected animals as evidence, including three spiny tortoises, one Indian star tortoise, one spider tortoise, 32 baby star tortoises, two adult star tortoises, four big-headed turtles, two mountain tortoises, and seven crocodile lizards.
Pol Maj Gen Anek said the operation followed a previous arrest on Oct 7, when officers at the Don Mueang wildlife checkpoint detained another Taiwanese man, Chiu Kuo-Shu, 54, attempting to smuggle two slow lorises, one squirrel, three otters, and two spiny tortoises out of the country.
Investigators found that the suspect used an inhumane smuggling method, sedating the animals until unconscious, stuffing them into nylon stockings, and wrapping them tightly with cloth before strapping them to his legs and body to evade detection.
Following Mr Chiu’s arrest, police expanded the investigation and uncovered a larger network planning to smuggle a major shipment of rare wildlife through the same airport using similar concealment tactics.
Surveillance was stepped up until officers spotted the three Taiwanese men acting suspiciously before departure. A body search revealed numerous sedated animals hidden around their legs.
During questioning, all three suspects confessed to being part of the wildlife smuggling ring. They admitted to being hired couriers, each receiving about 30,000 baht per trip, and said they had made two previous deliveries. The animals were reportedly purchased from a Thai man and were intended for resale in Taiwan to exotic pet enthusiasts.
The arresting team charged the suspects with illegal possession and attempted export of protected and controlled wildlife under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act, mattempted export of undeclared goods under the Customs Act and violating the Animal Epidemics Act.
All were handed over to police investigators for legal action.