A pangolin, or scaly ant-eater, is taken from a cage during a police rescue operation. Eight people, including an acting mayor and a police officer, where arrested on charges of smuggling 410 pangolins in Bang Yai district of Nonthaburi.

An acting mayor and a junior policeman were among eight people arrested in Nonthaburi yesterday for smuggling more than 400 pangolins.

Police said they stopped a 10-wheel truck from Surat Thani and found a cage containing 410 pangolins under a pile of coconuts.

Eight people were arrested, including Wichian Jeen-em, the acting mayor of Nonthaburi's tambon Bang Yai, and Pol Cpl Sanont Thonglim, from Phatthalung.

In another case, police in Nong Khai seized a shipment of 124 pangolins destined to become ingredients in Chinese food and medicine.

Following a tip-off, a special task force stopped a pick-up truck near a reservoir in Mak Kong village in Muang Nong Khai district. The driver fled the scene.

The officers found 13 bags containing 124 pangolins weighing 460 kg.

It is believed the scaly ant-eaters were on their way to China via Laos.

The seized pangolins will be freed in the Phu Wua wildlife sanctuary in Nong Khai.