4 biggest cases of exotic animals smuggling in Singapore and Malaysia
Singapore and Malaysia are clamping down on smuggling exotic animals and endangered species
Caring for exotic animals and endangered species is fast becoming a status symbol. Several wealthy Singaporeans and Malaysians are literally spending fortunes just to be able to care for these highly vulnerable and sometimes extremely dangerous creatures.
However, Singaporean and Malaysian authorities are getting stricter when it comes to smuggling these types of animals.
Here are some of the biggest cases of exotic wildlife smuggling into the neighbouring Southeast Asian countries.
1. Smuggling of 209 song birds in Malaysia
On 3 March 2017, wildlife authorities in Malaysia arrested five people involved in smuggling more than 209 live wild animals meant to be sold in an illegal exotic pet trade.
A single trader was responsible for smuggling these exotic animals out of the country, according to a report by watchdog group Traffic.
In one of five separate operations in February, the Malaysian Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP) apprehended a total of 156 white-rumped shamas (Copsychus malabaricus), three common hill mynas (Gracula religiosa) and six red junglefowls (Gallus gallus).
Traffic reported that the white-rumped shama and common hill myna are among the 28 species in urgent need of protection and priority action in the Conservation Strategy for Southeast Asian Songbirds in Trade.
The illegal trader, who had arrived on a flight from Dhaka, Bangladesh, was charged under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and was released on bail pending trial. The bail set was RM12,000.
2. Indian authorities nabbed 22 snakes in Chennai airport from Malaysia
Indian airport authorities discovered 22 snakes of various species and lengths in the baggage of a Malaysian woman who arrived at Chennai Airport via an AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia on 28 April.
Local media reports said that the reptiles were packed in transparent plastic containers, providing little space for them to move or breathe, which could endanger their health.
Alongside the snakes, one chameleon was also found in the woman’s checked-in baggage.
Indian authorities did not disclose whether the woman was arrested or deported back to Malaysia.
3. Malaysian authorities confiscated millions worth of wildlife contraband
In January 2023, Malaysian authorities from the Wildlife Crime Bureau under the Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department seized more than RM64 million worth of smuggled wildlife and contraband after conducting 35 coordinated raids nationwide.
The operation, which took place from 1-20 January, resulted in the detention of 88 individuals, including 74 locals and 15 foreigners, according to Royal Malaysian Police Secretary Datuk Noorsiah Mohn Saaduddin.
4. Singaporean in Malaysia arrested and fined for smuggling poisonous endangered species
A Singaporean co-owner of an exotic animal shop in Malaysia was sentenced to two months’ prison time and a fine of S$9,600 in June 2020 after he pleaded guilty of importing 22 illegal exotic animals into Singapore.
Mitchell Edberg Li Heyi, 31, was arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint in November 2019 when authorities found exotic creatures in his car, packed in containers without proper ventilation.
He pleaded guilty to seven charges under the Animals and Birds Act and the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, reports say. He was also ordered by District Judge Adam Nakhoda to pay S$10,900 to NParks for expenses related to holding the endangered species.
The animals included two leopard geckos, a sugar glider, 18 poison dart frogs of three different species, and a black-and-white tegu – a large type of lizard.
Likewise, the Singaporean customer, identified as Jonathan Wong Kai Kit, was fined S$6,600 for abetting Li to import the animals into Singapore in order to keep them as pets.
Licences are required when trying to legally import or keep any such animals in Singapore.
Marvin Joseph Ang is a news and lifestyle writer who focuses on politics, the economy, and pop culture. Follow him on Twitter at @marvs30ang for latest news and updates.
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