BUKIT KAYU HITAM: A 57-year-old former soldier was arrested by the Border Security Agency (Aksem) for trying to smuggle out 65 live pangolins worth RM75,000.

Aksem area commander Asst Supt Mohd Khairi Abdullah said his team stopped a car as it was heading to the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex at about 10am yesterday.

“We inspected the vehicle and found the endangered animals in the boot,” he told reporters yesterday.

“He told us that he picked up the animals, each weighing between 3kg and 10kg, from a man in Jitra and was paid RM1,800 for the trip.

“The suspect has no criminal record but we believe he had made numerous such trips to smuggle the pangolins to Thailand,” ASP Mohd Khairi said.

A kilo of pangolin meat can fetch up to RM250 while the animal’s scales, used for a variety of illnesses, can fetch RM20,000 a kilo.

“The case has been handed over to the Kedah Wildlife Department for further action,” he said.

All species of the pangolin family are under threat and protected under national and international laws.