Arrest of subjects illegally transporting pangolins and turtles

(Baonghean.vn) - On January 29, the Environmental Police Department (PC49) of Nghe An Province Police said that the unit had just arrested a case of illegal transportation of pangolins, turtles and soft-shelled turtles.

According to Major Tran Van Hung - Captain of Team 2, Environmental Police Department (Provincial Police), after a period of monitoring, at 2:00 p.m. on January 28, on National Highway 48 in Dien Yen Commune (Dien Chau District), Team 2, Environmental Police Department arrested Vu Truong Thi (born in 1975, residing in Do Thanh Commune, Yen Thanh District) who was using a 4-seat Camry with license plate 37A - 04663 to transport a large number of pangolins, turtles and soft-shelled turtles.

Subject Vu Truong Thi at the time of arrest.

The exhibits include 5 pangolins belonging to group 1B (endangered and rare animals in need of protection) weighing 15kg; 12 turtles weighing 12.5kg and 2 soft-shell turtles weighing 3kg.

The vehicle used to transport pangolins, soft-shell turtles and tortoises

At the investigation agency, suspect Vu Truong Thi said that the goods originated from Laos. Thi sent them on a passenger bus running the Laos - Nghe An route and then transferred them to a Camry for sale.

The exhibits are being inspected and sealed by the authorities.

Currently, Vu Truong Thi has been detained for transporting rare and endangered wild animals. The Camry is being held at the headquarters. The pangolins, turtles and soft-shell turtles will be appraised at the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (under the Vietnam Academy of Sciences) for a final conclusion.

The case is still under investigation.

Phuong Nguyen