A 36-year-old woman from Negeri Sembilan was arrested at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) after authorities discovered she was attempting to smuggle several protected exotic animals out of Malaysia.
The arrest took place at KLIA Terminal 1 around 9:10pm during a routine luggage inspection conducted by the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MBCA). The woman was a passenger on Malaysia Airlines Flight MH0198, bound for Hyderabad, India, which was scheduled to depart at 9:30pm.
Upon inspecting her baggage, officials found nine live animals concealed within—four Siamangs, one monkey believed to be a macaque, and four sugar gliders.
“All the animals are protected species and were believed to be smuggled for illegal international trade. The total value of the seizure is estimated at RM127,000,” MBCA said in a statement.
The woman has since been handed over to KLIA police for further investigation under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 [Act 716] and the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008 [Act 686].
MBCA added that joint inspections with KLIA Aviation Security will be intensified moving forward, as part of ongoing efforts to prevent wildlife smuggling through Malaysia’s airports.
