Japanese trafficker on the run in Thailand

28 February, 2007

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Japanese trafficker on the run in Thailand


PRESS RELEASE
February 28, 2007

Thai Authorities confiscate more rare animals at International Airport

(Bangkok ­ Suvarnabhumi International Airport), Thai officials have seized 23 rare primates that were packed in small cages inside a large suitcase bound for Narita, Japan. On February 24, a Japanese national name Kawarabuki Nobuhito checked his luggage at the Thai Airways counter for a flight bound to Japan. The airport authorities grew suspicious of the contents of the suitcase after hearing noises from inside and then informed relevant wildlife officials stationed at the airport.

Upon opening the suitcase, the officials found 23 slow lorises - mostly new born ­ crammed inside small cages. The Slow Lorise is a rare type of primate, popular among some people as pets due to their large eyes and slow movements.

Immigration police were then informed to look out for the suspect but he failed to show up for clearance and never boarded the plane. One animal died of suffocation. The rest are now under care of a Thai government-run wildlife sanctuary.

This is the fourth time a Japanese national was involved in exporting slow lorises from Thailand to Japan. The previous incident was on November 3, 2006 when a Japanese national attempted to smuggle 9 slow lorises but was caught after his carry-on luggage on was x-rayed.

"This may be a serious problem for us," commented Nirath Nipanant, Chief of Wildlife Checkpoint at Suvarnabhumi Airport. "We are talking with the nature crime police and customs about conducting an investigation into this illegal trade between Thailand and Japan."

The increased inter-agencies cooperation by Thai authorities is the result of Thailand's participation in the ASEAN-Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN). The network is targeting wildlife crime syndicates by promoting cross agency and cross-border operations. In Thailand, Police, Customs and environmental officials have joined hands to boost coordination in investigating and preventing nature crimes.