 |
| Customs officials with an
adult and a baby pangolin at the Customs Department. About 400
pangolins, believed to have been smuggled from Malaysia, were
rescued from a truck in Chumphon province on Tuesday. _ CHANAT
KATANYU |
About 400 smuggled pangolins, an
endangered species of anteater, destined to become ingredients in
Chinese medicines have been seized by customs officials from a
truck in Chumphon province.
Acting on a tip-off, the officials searched a truck parked near
Wat Kanpattana in Muang district of Chumphon on Tuesday and found
the animals, also known as scaly anteaters, in plastic baskets.
The driver and other people with the truck fled before the
authorities arrived.
The shipment was valued at about 800,000 baht, a customs official
said.
The pangolins were apparently smuggled from Malaysia.
It was believed the animals were en route to China, Hong Kong or
Taiwan for use in traditional Chinese medicines.
Many Chinese believe medicines containing parts of these animals
increase sex drive. |
