21-9-2023 (NEW YORK) A 58-year-old Malaysian smuggler, known by the aliases Zhang, Dato Sri, and Godfather, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison by the US Attorney’s Office for his involvement in a large-scale international trafficking and smuggling operation of rhinoceros horns. The horns were intended for sale to foreign buyers, including those purportedly based in Manhattan. The smuggler, identified as Teo, allegedly played a key role in the transportation, distribution, sale, and smuggling of approximately 219kg of rhinoceros horns, with an estimated value of US$2.1 million (approximately RM9.8 million).
According to official statements, Teo met with a confidential source to negotiate the sale of the rhinoceros horns. The source, acting on behalf of law enforcement officials, engaged in meetings with Teo in Malaysia on July 17 and 18, 2019. During these encounters, Teo disclosed that he operated as a middleman, acquiring rhinoceros horns poached by co-conspirators in Africa and facilitating their shipment to customers worldwide in exchange for a per-kilogram fee.
The statement further revealed that Teo made assurances to the confidential source, stating, “As long as you have cash, I can give you the goods in 1-2 days.” These claims highlighted the smuggler’s confidence in his ability to provide the desired rhinoceros horns promptly.
In August 2019, the confidential source, acting under the direction of law enforcement, purchased 12 rhinoceros horns from Teo. The transaction was carried out, and the horns were delivered in a suitcase to Thailand by individuals involved in the illicit wildlife smuggling ring. The rhinoceros horns were later examined by the US Fish and Wildlife Service forensics laboratory, which confirmed that the horns originated from two black rhinoceros and ten white rhinoceros.
Teo’s arrest took place on June 29, 2022, and he was subsequently extradited from Thailand to the United States on October 7, following the provisions of a bilateral extradition treaty between the two countries.
The World Wildlife Fund reports that there are approximately 27,000 rhinos remaining in the wild, with certain species classified as critically endangered. The illegal trade in rhinoceros horns poses a significant threat to these magnificent creatures and their populations.
Jailing of international #wildlife crime kingpin Teo Boon Ching is a body-blow to illegal trade
???? Get the full story at https://t.co/rJmeIdcvXa#illegalwildlifetrade #rhinos #elephants #pangolins pic.twitter.com/8C1a5QSmPt
— Environmental Investigation Agency (@EIA_News) September 20, 2023
