Man caught smuggling black-handed gibbons worth RM30,000 at KLIA

New Straits Times

6 days ago

PUTRAJAYA: A 34-year-old man was detained at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 for attempting to smuggle four exotic animals, believed to be black-handed gibbons worth approximately RM30,000.
In a statement today, the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency said the animals were discovered inside the suspect's luggage.
The man was a passenger on a flight bound for Mumbai, India, scheduled to depart on Friday night.
"The suspect was detained on the spot and taken to the Aeropolis police headquarters for further action," the statement said.
The agency said the gibbons have since been handed over to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan) for investigation and further action.
The case is being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 and the International Trade in Endangered Species Act 2008.
The arrest was part of enhanced integrated checks launched this month in collaboration with Aviation Security (AVSEC) and Perhilitan, targeting wildlife smuggling through high-risk aviation entry points.
"The agency, AVSEC, and Perhilitan will continue to tighten security controls at KLIA and will not compromise with any party involved in wildlife trafficking via air routes," the statement added.