BUKIT KAYU HITAM: The Kedah Border Control Agency (Aksem) seized 109 pangolins valued at RM196,200 in a raid on a house in Kampung Kubang Airang, Changlun, at noon today.
Its commander, Abdul Latif Abd Rahman, said the live animals, weighing 654kg, were recovered from gunny sacks placed under a tent near the house.
He said a 49-year-old man, who was in the house at the time, was detained to facilitate investigations.
Based on the interrogation of the suspect, the house was used as a transit to store the pangolins before being smuggled to Thailand.
“The animals can fetch up to RM300 per kg,” he told a press conference at Aksem Complex here.
The law provides for a fine of up to RM100,000 and a maximum jail term of five years for people found guilty of smuggling pangolins.
Latif said the pangolins would be handed over to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) for further action.