Pangolin scales worth RM4 million seized
> 337kg haul believed to be linked to Sabah discovery
SEPANG: The KLIA Customs Department seized a whopping 337kg of Pangolin scales worth more than RM4 million recently.
Its director, Abdul Wahabi Abdullah, said the discovery was made on Nov 16 and 17 at the KLIA Mail and Courier Centre.
“The haul was kept in 13 boxes declared as children’s clothing. The first seizure on Nov 16 involved two boxes from Sabah and three from Sarawak, while the seizure on the following day involved two boxes from Sabah and six from Sarawak.
“The consignment was flown in from Sabah and Sarawak and was supposed to be exported to Hong Kong,” he said at a press conference at KLIA Customs Cargo Complex yesterday.
Abdul Wahabi said the seizure could also be linked to the department’s recent discovery of pangolin scales worth RM100 million in Sabah.
“We will have to work with the Wildlife and National Parks Department to find the the culprits behind the smuggling attempt. However, we believe it could be linked with the seizure of 8,000kg of pangolin scales in Sepanggar Bay on July 29.”
The July case was the biggest seizure of pangolin scales in Sabah, and possibly the country, following the seizure of 700kg last May.
The latest haul was linked to several individuals locally but the name and address given are believed to be fake.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 135 (1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967, which criminalises the import or export of prohibited goods.
Those convicted can be fined between 10 and 20 times the value of the smuggled goods or jailed a maximum three years, or both.
Abdul Wahabi noted the pangolin scales are under an import ban within the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 (Act 686).
Pangolins are the world’s most poached animal as its meat and scales are perceived to have medicinal benefits.