Article: Animal pelt smuggler released on bail

Tuesday September 29, 2009

ALOR SETAR: The 56-year-old man arrested with 17 animal pelts has been released on bail.

State Wildlife and National Parks Department director Rahim Ahmad said the man, a trader from Kuala Kedah, was questioned and released on a RM3,000 bail posted by a friend at about 11pm on Sunday.

"We are carrying out preliminary analysis by taking pictures and tagging the pelts prior to sending them to our headquarters in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, for DNA tests to determine the animal species.

"We are investigating this case as possession of protected animals under Section 64 and Section 68 of the Wildlife Act 1976/1972," he said.

The Kedah Anti-Smuggling Unit detained the man at the Stadium Darulaman car park after recovering five animal pelts from his car on Sunday. He later led the team to his house where another 12 pelts were recovered.

The pelts are said to be that of tigers, leopards, wolves and hyenas.

It is learnt that a syndicate couriered the pelts from Hong Kong to the man's house.

This is the second time this year that the anti-smuggling unit seized such pelts from smugglers.

On May 29, five tiger pelts worth RM90,000 were seized at a roadblock near the Malaysia-Thai border in Bukit Kayu Hitam.

This article was taken from: The Star Online: Nation 29 September 2009