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Malaysia
AsiaSoutheast Asia

Malaysian police seize record US$2 million pangolin haul from two factories in Sabah

  • Police seized 1,800 boxes filled with frozen pangolins, 572 frozen pangolins in separate freezers, 61 live pangolins and 361kg of pangolin scales from two processing facilities in Sabah
  • A suspect, believed to be a factory manager, has been arrested

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Seized pangolin scales are shown by Malaysian customs officials holding up seized pangolin scales. File photo: AP
Associated Press
Authorities in Malaysia have seized a record 27 tonnes of pangolin and pangolin products in eastern Sabah state on Borneo, a wildlife monitoring group said on Tuesday.

The monitoring network TRAFFIC said in a statement that Sabah police this month uncovered two major pangolin processing facilities, throwing a spotlight on the state’s role in the sourcing and trafficking of the endangered mammal.

Sabah police said over the weekend they had seized three refrigerated containers containing 1,800 boxes filled with frozen pangolins, another 572 frozen pangolins in separate freezers, 61 live pangolins and 361kg of pangolin scales. Two bear paws and carcasses of four flying fox were also recovered.

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A 35-year-old Malaysian man, believed to be a factory manager, has been detained.

The pangolin is said to be the most widely trafficked mammal in the world, and its scales are in high demand in Asia for use in traditional Chinese medicine.
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The pangolin is believed to be the most widely trafficked mammal in the world. Photo: Kyodo
The pangolin is believed to be the most widely trafficked mammal in the world. Photo: Kyodo

The scales are made of keratin, the same material in human fingernails. Their meat is also considered a delicacy in China and other Asian countries.

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