Bernama.com
General November 03, 2009 15:59 PM
 
Agency Thwarts Attempt To Smuggle Salamanders


TAWAU, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) here foiled an attempt to smuggle 12 salamanders into the country when they seized the amphibians from a man yesterday.

MMEA officer Lt Commander (M) Sharef Mac Queen Abdullah said the salamanders were confiscated from a speedboat coming from Sungai Nyamuk, Indonesia, at about 5.40pm.

"MMEA personnel from the KM Budiman patrol boat were checking a speedboat and discovered the protected species onboard," he told Bernama here on Tuesday.

Sharef said a 51-year-old man with suspicious travel documents, believed to own the salamanders, was arrested to help in investigations.

"The man, besides failing to show permits to bring in the animals into the country, presented suspicious travel documents," he said.

He added that the man was among six individuals onboard the speedboat, including a woman, who had tried to bribe the officers with RM1,000 and Rp1,700 (RM0.61).

-- BERNAMA
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