Thai authorities rescued a total of 143 monkeys and arrested two men on the border with Camboyain an operation against wildlife trafficking that also discovered a shipment of methamphetamine.
Police located and arrested two Thai nationals in the district of Golden Prathet after intercepting a truck on a rural route, according to the CNN.
The arrest came after a car chase that began when rangers observed the men while They unloaded blue mesh bags of the vehicle near the border.
Two men were detained on the border with Cambodia. Photo: 12th Thai Ranger Forces Regiment.Inside the truck, authorities found 81 long-tailed macaques —30 males and 51 females—packed tightly in mesh bags. The operation was completed with the seizure of methamphetamine, including pills and glass packets, found with the primates.
According to a police statement, the suspects indicated that lthey had hired you to smuggle the monkeys into Cambodia.
Long-tailed macaques: victims of illegal trade
This incident was the second case of animal smuggling discovered that day. Hours earlier, rangers patrolling the nearby district of Khlong Hat They heard «unusual animal noises» coming from a sugar cane field.
After searching the area, officers found 10 hidden plastic baskets. In them there was 62 long-tailed macaques, 44 males and 18 females. The primates found in the field were tied inside blue nylon mesh bags.
In total, the 143 long-tailed macaques rescued in both operations They were in a «weakened state». The animals were taken to a local wildlife rescue center for treatment.
The specimens, in danger of extinction, were in a «weakened state.» Photo: 12th Thai Ranger Forces Regiment.The long-tailed macaque is a species native to Southeast Asia widely used in drug development because their DNA closely reflects that of humans. The species appears as in danger of extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Somruek Suppamitkrisanadirector of the wildlife conservation division, stated that the discovery of consecutive cases like this «confirms that the border area continues to be a target for wildlife trafficking networks.» The director added that these particular primates enjoy a «high international demand.»
Thailand is an international hub for wildlife trafficking, one of the largest illegal trades in the world estimated at between 7.8 and 10 billion dollars a yearaccording to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Those arrested face charges related to the possession and trade of protected wildlife without proper authorization. They are also charged crimes for the possession and consumption of illicit drugs.
