The national police force today arrested a man in the deep south they accuse of being behind an extensive network that trafficks wildlife from owls to hawks.
Identified only as Manusi, 23, he was arrested in Narathiwat city and has been charged with the trade and possession of protected wildlife. The police say he confessed to selling exotic animals for over three years including Sumatran owls, white hawks, lorises, black giant squirrels, and leopards.
If convicted, he faces upward of 10 years in jail and THB 1 million (US$30,000) in fines.
He was the subject of an arrest warrant approved last month by the Southern Bangkok Criminal Court. The authorities were led to him after another trafficker they identified only as Jirati, nickname New, was arrested in late December.
Jirati was found to be purchasing wildlife through the network, called Bangsi, via Line. Jirati was deemed a middleman in the network, who intended to resell the animals for profit via social media.
The ongoing investigation is looking for additional members of the group.
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