Illegal bird trading, a Vietnamese arrested in Thailand

The Vietnamese man, Hoang Ngoc Cuong (36 years old), was arrested at a residential area in Bang Kapi district on June 21, according to the Bangkok Post today, June 22. Mr. Arun Wachirasrisukanya, Deputy Commander of the Environmental Crime and Natural Resources Suppression Division of the local police, added that the police seized 58 starlings with a total value of about 174,000 baht (more than 120 million VND).

Police pose for a photo with the Vietnamese suspect (second from left) and 58 seized starlings.

Bangkok Post screenshot

This is the result of an investigation following a raid on January 9, in which Thai police arrested three Vietnamese members of a transnational wildlife trafficking network and seized 21 starlings, 929 turtles, four chameleons and six snakes.

The network often smuggled wildlife by putting them on international passenger buses to a neighbouring country, according to Mr Arun.

Investigators later discovered that the gang had used a house in Bangkok's Klong Chan area to keep wild animals before shipping them out of Thailand.

Police obtained court permission to search the home, leading to Mr. Cuong's arrest.

Police said Mr. Cuong confessed to buying the birds for 3,000-4,000 baht each from a seller on Facebook. Cuong kept the birds at home while awaiting shipment to a neighboring country, where each bird can sell for tens of thousands of baht.

Thai police have charged Mr. Cuong with illegal possession of protected wildlife, violating the Wildlife Protection and Conservation Act, according to the Bangkok Post .

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/buon-chim-trai-phep-mot-nguoi-viet-bi-bat-o-thai-lan-185240622203927919.htm