PUTRAJAYA: The Customs Department thwarted an attempt by an Indian national to smuggle three pangolins at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA) on Oct 28.
All the pangolins were found in the man's luggage shortly after he was detained for inspection by KLIA2 auxiliary police officers at around 9pm, suspected of carrying wildlife.
Wong Pun Sian, the Enforcement Operations director for the Customs Department Central Zone Unit 111 at KLIA, stated that the inspection of the luggage was carried out by officers from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan), who discovered it contained three small containers with pangolins.
"The man was subsequently detained and taken to the Perhilitan office at KLIA2 for documentation and identification of the wildlife species.
"The case was then handed over to the department and the man was remanded to assist in the investigation," he said in a statement.
Pun Sian explained that the investigation revealed that the suspect had been offered by agents in India to transport the animals to Colombo, with all flight ticket and accommodation arrangements managed by the respective agents.
He said the baggage handover was conducted in the KLIA2 Gateway area before the suspect took the luggage to board the flight to the destination.
The case is being investigated under Section 135(1)(a) and Section 139 of the Customs Act 1967.
