17-8-2023 (BANGKOK) Thai authorities announced on Thursday (Aug 17) that they have intercepted a shipment of pangolin scales weighing over a ton, with an estimated value of more than 50 million baht (approximately US$1.4 million). The scales, taken from a species of anteater, were discovered in the northeastern province of Kalasin. Officials believe the illegal cargo was intended to cross the border into Laos through Mukdahan province, which shares a land boundary with Thailand.
During a press conference in Bangkok, it was revealed that two male suspects had been apprehended while transporting the scales in a truck. The individuals have been charged with the illegal possession of carcasses of protected animals. Ariyapol Sinsorn, Deputy Chief of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, confirmed that the detainees admitted to the charges.
The pangolin scales, which hold an estimated value of around 40,000 baht (approximately US$1,129) per kilogram, are believed to have been smuggled from Malaysia into Thailand, en route to Laos. Officials suspect that the ultimate destination was China, where there is demand for such products. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact smuggling route.
The scales, presented during the press conference, had been dried and packed in fertilizer sacks marked with Chinese characters and numbers. These markings are suspected to indicate quality ratings of the scales.
It is estimated that the seized scales originated from the bodies of at least 3,000 to 4,000 pangolins. Prasert Sonsatahpornkul, an official from a wildlife protection agency, stated that the scales will be subject to testing in order to identify the specific pangolin species.
Pangolins are endangered animals, and trading them is illegal. The scales are utilized in traditional Chinese medicine, believed by some to have medicinal properties, although scientific evidence supporting this is lacking. Pangolin meat is considered a delicacy in certain parts of China and Vietnam. The high demand for pangolin scales and meat has led to widespread poaching and a significant decline in pangolin populations across Asia.
In a similar incident in 2017, Thai authorities successfully thwarted two major operations involving approximately three tons of pangolin scales and over 100 live pangolins.
