ID :
170434
Thu, 03/24/2011 - 08:36
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/170434
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Thai authorities seize African rhino horns
BANGKOK, March 24 (TNA) - Authorities in Thailand have seized 6 rhino horns smuggled into the country from Africa.
The horns, worth a total value of about 4 million baht, were handed to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation here on Wednesday. Initial reports confirmed the illicit goods, weighing at least 14 kilograms, were en route from Africa to the Southeast Asian country of Lao PDR.
Sunan Arunnapat, who is the department’s director-general, said customs authorities at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, raided the items on 27 February after no legitimate import orders were presented, at which time the horns were seized and transferred to the wildlife department for further preservation.
Sunan said three Thai nationals have initially been charged with smuggling, according to Section 27 of the Thai Customs Act, and may face up to 10 years of imprisonment and fines of up to four times the total value of the smuggled goods.
Meanwhile, the official noted that the discovery has been the country’s third case this year, adding that the illegal trade of goods from protected wildlife has become the second biggest illicit market, with a yearly value of about 1,000 million baht, falling just short of drug trafficking. (TNA)
The horns, worth a total value of about 4 million baht, were handed to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation here on Wednesday. Initial reports confirmed the illicit goods, weighing at least 14 kilograms, were en route from Africa to the Southeast Asian country of Lao PDR.
Sunan Arunnapat, who is the department’s director-general, said customs authorities at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, raided the items on 27 February after no legitimate import orders were presented, at which time the horns were seized and transferred to the wildlife department for further preservation.
Sunan said three Thai nationals have initially been charged with smuggling, according to Section 27 of the Thai Customs Act, and may face up to 10 years of imprisonment and fines of up to four times the total value of the smuggled goods.
Meanwhile, the official noted that the discovery has been the country’s third case this year, adding that the illegal trade of goods from protected wildlife has become the second biggest illicit market, with a yearly value of about 1,000 million baht, falling just short of drug trafficking. (TNA)
