Police recently interrogated Hoang Ngoc Cuong, 36, after uncovering nearly 60 protected birds inside his residence in Bangkok’s Klong Chan area. This discovery, illustrated by a supplied photo from Wassayos Ngamkham, marked a significant step in the crackdown on wildlife trafficking in the region.
Hoang Ngoc Cuong, a Vietnamese national, was detained at a housing estate in the Bang Kapi district last Friday. Authorities seized a total of 58 red-whiskered bulbuls, locally known as nok parawd hua khoan. These birds, valued at approximately 174,000 baht, were intended for smuggling abroad, disclosed Pol Col Arun Wachirasrisukanya, the deputy commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Suppression Division.
This operation was a continuation of a prior raid on January 9, where police apprehended three Vietnamese nationals associated with a transnational wildlife trafficking ring. During that raid, authorities confiscated 21 red-whiskered bulbuls, 929 turtles, four chameleons, and six snakes. The gang typically utilized international passenger buses to clandestinely transport these wild animals to neighboring countries, explained Pol Col Arun.
Investigators soon discovered that the gang used a house in Bangkok’s Klong Chan area as a holding pen for wildlife before shipping them out of Thailand. With sufficient evidence, the officers secured court approval to search the residence, eventually leading to Mr. Cuong’s arrest.
Upon questioning, Mr. Cuong admitted to purchasing the red-whiskered bulbuls for 3,000 to 4,000 baht each from a seller operating through a Facebook page, the police reported. He kept the birds in his house until they were ready to be dispatched to a neighboring country, where each bird could fetch a lucrative price running into tens of thousands of baht.
The arresting team initially charged Mr. Cuong with illegal possession of protected wild animals, infringing upon the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act. This operation highlights the ongoing efforts and collaboration between law enforcement agencies to curb wildlife trafficking and safeguard endangered species.
It’s horrifying that people are still trafficking protected wildlife. We need stricter penalties to deter such crimes.
Stricter penalties alone won’t solve the issue. We need to address the demand driving this market.
True, but without harsh consequences, traffickers will keep taking the risk for the high profits.
Education and awareness campaigns can reduce demand. People need to understand the impact of their choices.
Why is it always these poor countries? We need better international support for enforcement.
It’s not just about money; it’s about survival for some. We need to address the root causes of poverty.
Agreed, but we also need immediate action. The environment can’t wait for economic reform.
I can’t believe someone would sell birds on Facebook! It’s shocking how flagrant this crime is.
It’s the dark web of social media. Authorities need to monitor these platforms more closely.
Exactly! Social media companies should be held accountable as well.
What did you expect? Social media is like a double-edged sword.
This isn’t just a local problem. Wildlife trafficking is a global issue that needs a concerted global effort.
Absolutely. Global problems need global solutions. But it’s hard to coordinate such efforts effectively.
Those poor birds. I can’t imagine the trauma they must have gone through.
It’s heartbreaking. Animals suffer silently yet everyone seems more interested in profit.
I know, right? We need to put the well-being of animals first, above all else.
Good job by the police. Hopefully, this arrest sends a strong message to other traffickers.
One arrest won’t stop the whole system. We need sustained efforts and international cooperation.
These busts are great and all, but they barely scratch the surface of the problem.
Can we just stop exploiting animals for selfish gains already? This is the 21st century!
Wildlife deserves to live in their natural habitats, undisturbed by human greed.
Agreed, but habitat destruction is a bigger threat. Trafficking is just one of many problems.
How do we tackle the corruption in local law enforcement? It’s a significant barrier in fighting wildlife crime.
Community involvement can be a game-changer. Locals should be incentivized to protect the wildlife.
I fear this problem will only get worse as long as people are willing to pay top dollar for exotic pets.
There should be more international treaties focused on protecting wildlife and penalizing traffickers worldwide.
Isn’t it ironic that we’re just hearing about this after years of these activities going unchecked?
The fact that these criminals use Facebook is mind-blowing. What else are we missing on these platforms?
There is a lot happening under the radar. Social media is just one of many channels they use.
True. I just hope law enforcement gets better at monitoring these channels.
The real issue is the economy. When people are desperate, they turn to illegal activities.
It’s a sad cycle of supply and demand. How do we break this cycle?
Awareness, education, and providing alternative livelihoods to people involved in this trade.
It’s time for social media companies to take responsibility and police their platforms better.
At least some steps are being taken to combat the issue. Kudos to the authorities involved in this raid.