Woman arrested over protected fish

RAWAI: Phuket Marine Police today arrested a woman for being in possession of protected fish with the intent to ship them to Bangkok for sale. Acting on a tip-off, officers arrested Ammarin Sailuenam, 27, in a raid at about 3:30 pm. They found about 500 fish belonging to protected species in tanks in the back of the house in Moo Baan Happy Home, behind Wat Sawang Arom. Some fish had already been put into plastic bags ready for shipment. Police said they were intended for the aquarium market. Ammarin allegedly told police that she bought the fish from local fishermen and sent them by plane to Bangkok, where they would be sold at Chatujak market. She also told them that she made a monthly profit of 20,000 to 30,000 baht. Pol Maj Prasert Srikhunnarat said that the penalty for selling protected fish was up to four years in jail, or a fine of up to 40,000 baht, or both.