Three Vietnamese nationals face massive fines and jail time for possessing nearly 1,000 protected wildlife parts in Pahang.
KUANTAN: Three Vietnamese nationals have been sentenced to imprisonment and fined a total of RM128.9 million for possessing wildlife parts without valid permits.
Sessions Court Judge Maimoonah Aid delivered the sentences today after finding Bui Thi Ngan, 56, her brother Bui Van Noi, 48, and Bui Van Anh, 38, guilty of the offences.
The trio received jail terms ranging from 15 months to 12 years, to be served concurrently from their date of arrest. They face an additional eight years and six months in prison if they fail to pay the colossal fine.
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They were convicted of possessing nearly 1,000 parts from various protected species at a residential premises in Kampung Sungai Charu, Panching. The items included parts from pangolins, sun bears, several leopard species, Asian elephants, and other animals listed under the First Schedule of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.
The offences occurred on November 15, 2023. The charges were framed under Section 68(1)(b) and Section 60(1)(b) of the Wildlife Conservation Act, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Amanina Mohamad Anuar from the Wildlife Protection and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) prosecuted the case. The defendants were represented by lawyer Datuk Zaharman Zainal Abidin.
