Thai Prosecutor Among Trio Jailed For $1.4m Rhino Horn Haul
Umer Jamshaid Published November 20, 2018 | 05:15 PM
A public prosecutor and two Thais were sentenced for four years Tuesday after they were caught attempting to smuggle more than a dozen rhino horns worth $1.4 million through Bangkok's main airport last year.
Bangkok, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Nov, 2018 ) :A public prosecutor and two Thais were sentenced for four years Tuesday after they were caught attempting to smuggle more than a dozen rhino horns worth $1.4 million through Bangkok's main airport last year.
The smugglers were caught with bulging bags of the contraband at Suvarnabhumi airport, accompanied by the senior justice official who tried to sneak them through customs undetected.
The trio were convicted Tuesday for "illegally importing prohibited goods" and given four years in prison each, according to a statement from Samut Prakan provincial court where the trial took place.
The two smugglers, Thitirat Arai and Kansini Anutranusatra, fled after they were stopped by customs officials who x-rayed the bag. They were later apprehended.
Authorities found 21 rhino horns weighing 49 kilogrammes (108 Pounds), traced back to Africa where the critically endangered species is widely hunted, its horn prized for unproven medicinal qualities and as a status symbol in China and Vietnam.
The court said the deputy public prosecutor, Woraphas Boonsri, tried to persuade customs officers not to check the bag and offered a bribe to let the bags pass.
"He told officials the bag was carrying wine bottles," the court statement said.
Woraphas was caught after he was identified on CCTV footage appearing to escort the women through customs.
All three received bail.
Thailand's junta has vowed to crack down on the illegal wildlife trade in the kingdom, which is a key gateway to the rest of Asia, namely Vietnam and China where the illicit animal parts are widely consumed, mostly for traditional medicine.
But conservationists say Thailand is not doing enough to curb the illicit trade, with officials often implicated in wildlife trafficking cases.
China last month announced unexpectedly that it would lift a ban on rhinoceros horns and tiger parts, a move that animal welfare groups said could wipe out the endangered species.
But Beijing backtracked on the decision after an international outcry, reinstating the ban on the valuable animal parts.
Rhino numbers are down from 500,000 at the beginning of the 20th century to around 30,000 today, the majority in Africa where illegal poaching has badly dented their numbers.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PTI to stage nationwide protests against alleged electoral frauds
Senate continues discussion on Presidential address to Joint Sitting of Parliame ..
Masood Khan calls for Pak-US cooperation for regional peace
Interior Minister starts Margalla Trail Patrol for security
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
More Stories From World
-
Golf: PGA Zurich Classic of New Orleans scores
9 seconds ago -
Cybersecurity firm Darktrace accepts $5 bn takeover
20 minutes ago -
Clean energy drives massive BHP takeover bid
50 minutes ago -
Copper price tops $10,000 for first time in two years
1 hour ago -
Ukraine agriculture minister held for alleged corruption
1 hour ago -
China calls Germany spy claims 'pure fabrication'
2 hours ago
-
Singapore expects 1-3 pct growth this year
2 hours ago -
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Tech Index rises over 5 pct
2 hours ago -
New Zealand business sector R&D expenditure hits 2.21 bln USD
2 hours ago -
3 dead after mini car falls into west Japan paddy field
2 hours ago -
Chinese shares higher at midday Friday
2 hours ago -
Myanmar plans to export 2,000 tons of coffee in 2024-25 fiscal year
2 hours ago