Police raid tiger trafficking ring in Nonthaburi

Police recently raided a tiger carcass trafficking ring in Nonthaburi, discovering a large tiger skin openly advertised for sale on social media. This operation followed a tip-off received yesterday, November 23, prompting swift action from local and international wildlife protection agencies.

Attaphol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, noted that the raid was part of an intensified crackdown on illegal wildlife trade directed by Varawut Silpa-archa, minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

This initiative aims to combat unlawful wildlife activities, including illegal breeding, online trading, and cross-border smuggling.

Nawi Changpirom, director of the Wildlife Cooperation Division and leader of the Wild Hawk task force, reported that at 6.45pm yesterday, the task force collaborated with the Royal Thai Police’s Division 4 and Division 2, along with officers from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Wildlife Justice Commission.

They executed a search warrant at a Bang Rak Phatthana, Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi residence. The search led to the discovery of 59 year old Suthirak inside the house with three tiger skins, including heads, valued at 430,000 baht.

During questioning, Suthirak claimed the items belonged to an individual named Charlie, who had left them for safekeeping. However, no permits for possession of the wildlife carcasses were found, nor were there any identifying tags on the animals.

The officials charged Suthirak under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act of 2019 for possessing protected wildlife carcasses without permission. This crime carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to 500,000 baht, or both.

Additionally, he was charged with attempting to trade protected wildlife, which can result in up to ten years in prison, a fine of up to 1,000,000 baht, or both.

The suspect and the confiscated items have been handed over to the investigators at the Bang Bua Thong Police Station in Nonthaburi for further legal proceedings. Division 4 of the Royal Thai Police’s Bureau of Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression has been assigned to file the charges.

Meanwhile, the seized tiger skins will be sent to the Wildlife Forensic Science Centre of the Wildlife Conservation Office under the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation for examination, reported KhaoSod.