Thai Authorities Bust Major Tiger Cub Trafficking Operation

[webfact]

 

Yesterday, Thai authorities successfully executed a sting operation in the Bueng Kan province, foiling an illegal wildlife trafficking scheme involving a valuable tiger cub. The would-be sellers sought a substantial profit of 300,000 baht, equivalent to roughly US$8,200.

 

The effort was spearheaded by Police Major General Watcharin Poosit, Commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division (NED). The operation led to the detention of a 34-year-old Vietnamese man named Ho The Luc, along with his 42-year-old Thai accomplice, Sawitree.

 

This crackdown was the result of intelligence shared by the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), which linked Ho to a wider network of international wildlife traffickers operating across Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar.

 

Reports indicated that Ho was conducting wildlife sales, including that of the tiger cub, via clandestine online platforms while allegedly hiding in Laos.

 

The authorities devised a careful plan to intercept the illegal transaction, resulting in the suspects' capture in Bueng Kan. The sting operation unfolded as the suspects handed a tiger cub in a plastic basket to an undercover agent at a pre-arranged meet-up. The officer revealed his identity, leading to the immediate seizure of the cub and two mobile phones.

 

During interrogation, Ho confessed to masterminding the sale, claiming the tiger cub originated from a breeding facility in Vietnam. Conversely, Sawitree denied knowledge of participating in wildlife trafficking, alleging ignorance about the crate's contents, which she said was given to her by a Laotian acquaintance named Ton for delivery.

 

Authorities found these denials questionable, uncovering both suspects' monetary motives in the transaction. They were subsequently handed over to NED investigators and charged with joint possession of protected wildlife without proper authorisation.

 

Tigers are safeguarded under the 2019 Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act and are listed as a controlled species under Appendix I of the CITES agreement. Trafficking in tigers carries severe penalties, including up to 10 years imprisonment, fines up to 1 million baht, or both.

 

Picture courtesy: Khaosod

 

-- 2024-06-06

 

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[Tropicalevo]

50 minutes ago, webfact said:

Sawitree denied knowledge of participating in wildlife trafficking, alleging ignorance about the crate's contents, which she said was given to her by a Laotian acquaintance named Ton for delivery.

It has got great big holes in the side of the crate.

She could not miss seeing the poor little cub.

[brianthainess]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

34-year-old Vietnamese man named Ho The Luc, along with his 42-year-old Thai accomplice, Sawitree.

Oh The Luck of Ho the Luc ain't doing too well. Sawitree must have saw it there surely Sawit.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Sawitree denied knowledge of participating in wildlife trafficking, alleging ignorance about the crate's contents, which she said was given to her by a Laotian acquaintance named Ton for delivery

The Thai way... I know nothing.

[nglodnig]

6 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

She could not miss seeing the poor little cub.

Maybe she thought it was a big domestic cat?

[Yagoda]

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

The Thai way... I know nothing.

Guess you havene met any criminals outside Thailand

[hotchilli]

12 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Guess you havene met any criminals outside Thailand

Not interested in criminals outside of Thailand.

[Yagoda]

On 6/7/2024 at 6:09 AM, hotchilli said:

Not interested in criminals outside of Thailand.

Thats why you dont know that all criminals believe in "I know nothing".

 

If you want to be a Thai basher, try to be intelligent about it.

[hotchilli]

37 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Thats why you dont know that all criminals believe in "I know nothing".

 

If you want to be a Thai basher, try to be intelligent about it.