PUBLISHED: 24 Nov 2024 at 11: 14
The Natural Resources and Environmental Crimes Suppression Division ( NED ) reports that a man has been detained in the Bang Bua Thong district for selling and possessing Sumatran tigers ‘ carcasses.
Charlie Meepra, 60, was apprehended on Saturday night at a home in Bang Rak Pattana during a research that resulted in the discovery of three full Sumatran cats ‘ bones.
Don deputy chief Pol Col Arun Wachirasrisukanya, who led the hunt, said Mr Charlie first offered to sell the bones for 900, 000 ringgit to a police commander who posed as a customer. The secret agent bargained the cost down to 200, 000 ringgit, to which Mr Charlie agreed. But, the suspect canceled the transaction on the grounds that he feared authorities would target him.
The research was continued by NED officers, who discovered Mr. Charlie had hidden the house’s large cat carcasses. According to Pol Col Arun, they requested a prosecutor search warrant.
Mr. Charlie acknowledged that he wanted to sell the Sumatran cat bones because of a financial issue and had shipped them from Indonesia more than 40 years back.
Thailand’s Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Netherlands-based Wildlife Justice Commission are conducting joint operations to combat international animals smuggling in Southeast Asia.
Mr. Charlie was accused of obtaining and selling unlicensed bones of protected animals. A maximum sentence of four years in prison and/or a fine of up to 40, 000 ringgit are involved in the offence.