A Vietnamese national was arrested on February 9 at Suvarnabhumi Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle nearly 12 kilograms of rhino horns. The arrest was part of a collaborative effort involving C.I.Q. agencies and the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Police. This operation highlights the ongoing battle against wildlife trafficking in Thailand.
The suspect, identified as a 36-year-old Vietnamese traveler, was apprehended after an X-ray scan revealed anomalies in a foam box inside his checked luggage. The arrest took place at around 8 pm as officials traced the luggage to the passenger traveling from Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The suspect had transited through Ethiopia and Thailand and was en route to Vientiane, Laos.
The search at the wildlife inspection facility uncovered six rhino horns bundled in three packages, weighing 11.75 kilograms in total. Additionally, three pieces of animal skin, weighing 12 kilograms, were found concealing the horns. An iPhone 14 Pro Max, suspected to be linked to the smuggling operation, was also seized.
With no permits for wildlife products, the suspect faces charges under Thailand's Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act 2019, the Customs Act 2017, and the Animal Epidemics Act 2015. The case has been handed over to investigators at Suvarnabhumi Airport Police Station for further legal proceedings.
The rhino horns have been sent to the Wildlife Forensic Laboratory Centre for species verification. This development is crucial in determining the specific origins and aiding the broader investigation. reported The Thaiger.
Key Takeaways
A Vietnamese man was apprehended for smuggling rhino horns at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Six rhino horns and three pieces of animal skin were seized during the operation.
The suspect faces charges under Thai wildlife and customs laws.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2026-02-10
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