VN man caught smuggling endangered species
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A Vietnamese national has been arrested at Aranya Prathet border checkpoint in Sa Kaew province for allegedly attempting to smuggle a number of two endangered living animal species into the country.
The suspect, identified as Abdol Gani, was taken into custody by a local Army paramilitary rangers unit after being charged with possessing live animals without permission, and attempting to smuggle 10 Asian black-chested leaf turtles. Also found in his possession were 19 Chinese crocodile lizards, an indigenous species to China.
Immigration police said the man admitted that he planned to sell the lizards at to illegal wildlife traders in Bangkok’s Chatuchak Market (Weekend Market) for Bt2,000 and Bt1,000, respectively. The man, who claimed he worked as a property broker in Vietnam, will be prosecuted by the local forestry and wildlife protection office.
