Pangolin scales worth RM3.8mil seized
KUALA LUMPUR: A huge haul of pangolin scales weighing a whopping 300.9kg and worth RM3.86 million was seized by the Customs Department at the KL International Airport (KLIA).
Customs assistant directorgeneral (enforcement), Datuk Mohd Pudzi Man said they confiscated the smuggled items at the Free Trade Zone air cargo warehouse on July 30.
“An enforcement team was sent to carry out checks at the air cargo warehouse where they found six packages suspected of containing the illegal items.
“They were flown in via an Ethiopian Airlines flight from Congo with KLIA being the final destination,” he told a press conference.
He said the boxes’ air waybill was labelled “Fish Maw” and the address of delivery in Malaysia was a false one.
“We have yet to determine if the scales are to be used in the local market or exported to foreign markets,” he said, adding that this was their fifth case involving pangolin scales this year.
Under Section 135(1)(a) of the Customs Act 1967, those found guilty of illegally importing pangolin scales into the country can be fined a maximum of 20 times the value of the smuggled items, or a three-year prison term or both.
Pangolins are one of the most trafficked animals in the wildlife black market.
Their scales are believed to possess medicinal values, such as for curing cancer and Malaria although there is no scientific evidence.
They can fetch between RM1,000 and RM1,500 per kg in the Malaysian market.
Import of pangolin scales requires a special permit from Wildlife and National Parks Department.
On another smuggling case on July 30, Customs officials seized 75.74kg of ivory tusks worth RM275,000 at KLIA.
They were on an Etihad Airways flight from Lagos and transited in Abu Dhabi before landing in KLIA. Attached to the items was a fake address in Malaysia.
“KLIA seems to be a hub for these international smuggling rings. We will work with all involved to tighten security and standard operating procedures,” he said.