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Collaboration between Malaysia’s wildlife crime unit and the Wildlife Justice Commission leads to significant arrests & the disruption of two transnational wildlife criminal networks
02 September 2016, The Hague | Press Release

Collaboration between Malaysia’s wildlife crime unit and the Wildlife Justice Commission leads to significant arrests & the disruption of two transnational wildlife criminal networks
Kuala Lumpur, 2 September 2016: A collaboration between Perhilitan, Department of Wildlife & National Parks Malaysia, and the Wildlife Justice Commission has resulted in significant arrests and the disruption of two transnational wildlife criminal networks.

Perhilitan held a press conference in Kuala Lumpur this morning outlining details of the criminality, arrests made and the extent of the criminal networks infiltrated:

561 kg ivory, 3 key arrests and additional criminals within the network identified
Large quantities of wild Malay tiger products seized, 9 Vietnamese nationals arrested
In the process of our investigations we identified and successfully infiltrated two criminal networks operating in Malaysia; one Vietnamese and one Chinese network. Our investigators partnered with Perhilitan in setting up sting operations after learning that members of both networks were in Kuala Lumpur selling their products. Having secured proof of criminality, Perhilitan staff conducted raids across Kuala Lumpur leading to the arrests and seizures.

The partnership between the Wildlife Justice Commission and Perhilitan on Operation Chameleon demonstrates the Malaysian Government’s exemplary commitment in the fight against wildlife crime.

Olivia Swaak-Goldman, Executive Director, Wildlife Justice Commission, said: “We are delighted by the outcome of these two operations with Perhilitan. In addition to the seizures, arrests and impact on these two networks, it is fantastic to be strengthening our partnership with Perhilitan. Sharing of information and communication between Perhilitan and the Wildlife Justice Commission investigators was critical to the success of these operations.”

The Wildlife Justice Commission operates globally. Currently we have five investigations in progress, and continue to research other wildlife crime cases. Visual assets on this investigation are available via our website.

-Ends-

Tiger skull

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Two wild Malay tiger skins

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Tiger claws and canines

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Elephant tusk

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*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

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