Vietnamese Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Protected Python Parts in Malaysia
A 39-year-old Vietnamese national, Hoang Van Thai, pleaded guilty in a Malaysian court to possessing protected wildlife parts without a license. He was charged with holding 1,022 python gallbladders and 191 tongue parts from the reticulated python, a protected species. These items were discovered during a raid on April 4 by the Wildlife Department at a property in Johor state. The authorities estimated the total value of the seized haul, which also included bear bile, suspected tiger parts, and primate remains, at nearly 37 million ringgit ($9.3 million). While the defense lawyer disputed this valuation due to lack of documentation, prosecutors argued that the large quantity indicated organized criminal activity. Hoang, who worked as a driver in Malaysia, faces up to three years in jail, a fine, or both. Experts suggest he may have acted as a stockist for a larger syndicate involved in the illegal international wildlife trade, with many parts processed and packed for shipment. The court is scheduled to verify his immigration status before ruling on bail, highlighting Malaysia's role as a significant hub for illicit wildlife trafficking driven by demand for exotic animal products.
Wire timeline
Vietnamese Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Protected Python Parts in Malaysia
A 39-year-old Vietnamese national, Hoang Van Thai, pleaded guilty in a Malaysian court to possessing protected wildlife parts without a license. He was charged with holding 1,022 python gallbladders and 191 tongue parts from the reticulated python, a protected species. These items were discovered during a raid on April 4 by the Wildlife Department at a property in Johor state. The authorities estimated the total value of the seized haul, which also included bear bile, suspected tiger parts, and primate remains, at nearly 37 million ringgit ($9.3 million). While the defense lawyer disputed this valuation due to lack of documentation, prosecutors argued that the large quantity indicated organized criminal activity. Hoang, who worked as a driver in Malaysia, faces up to three years in jail, a fine, or both. Experts suggest he may have acted as a stockist for a larger syndicate involved in the illegal international wildlife trade, with many parts processed and packed for shipment. The court is scheduled to verify his immigration status before ruling on bail, highlighting Malaysia's role as a significant hub for illicit wildlife trafficking driven by demand for exotic animal products.
AP News