BANGKOK, April 30 — Thai authorities arrested a teenager at a Bangkok airport for allegedly smuggling 30 protected tortoises valued at about US$9,000 (RM36,000) that were taped under her clothing, wildlife officials said Wednesday.

Thailand is a major transit hub for wildlife smugglers who often sell highly prized endangered animals on the lucrative black market in Asia.

Authorities became suspicious of the 19-year-old Taiwanese woman’s unusual movements as she prepared to board a flight to Taipei early Tuesday, Thailand’s wildlife conservation department said in a statement.

A search at Suvarnabhumi airport’s departure terminal uncovered the Indian star tortoises – 29 alive and one dead – strapped to her body, the department said.

“The suspect had used adhesive tape to immobilise the animals, packed them into cloth bags and attached them to her body to evade detection,” it added.

The Thai customs department said the tortoises – protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – commanded a high price on the black market, placing their total estimated value at around US$9,000.

The woman was charged with illegally transporting animals and evading customs controls.

Authorities said they were investigating whether she was part of a wider smuggling network.

Indian star tortoises are classified as a vulnerable species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (ICUN), which says they have been targeted to meet international demand for use as “exotic pets”.

The surviving tortoises were transferred to wildlife conservation officials for care and to serve as evidence. — AFP

COLOMBO, April 26 — Twenty-two Sri Lankan monks returning from Thailand were arrested on Sunday at the main international airport with 110 kilogrammes (242 pounds) of powerful cannabis, officials said.

A Sri Lanka Customs spokesman said the group, returning home after a four-day holiday in the Thai capital, had Kush — a potent, plant-based strain of cannabis — hidden in their luggage.

“Each carried about five kilos of the narcotic concealed within false walls in their luggage,” the spokesman said, adding that the monks had been handed over to police.

They were to be taken before a magistrate later on Sunday.

The monks were mostly young students from temples across Sri Lanka and had been on a holiday sponsored by a businessman.

Customs officials said it was the largest single detection of Kush at the South Asian country’s main international airport.

A 21-year-old British woman was arrested in May last year with 46 kilogrammes (101 pounds) of the drug at the same airport. She was also travelling to Colombo from Bangkok.

Sri Lankan authorities have also made several detections of large hauls of heroin and other narcotics smuggled in via small fishing boats in recent years. — AFP

SINGAPORE: More than 1,500 duty-unpaid cigarette packs were seized at Woodlands Checkpoint earlier this month, with a Singaporean driver arrested following enhanced checks by authorities.

In a Facebook post published on April 17, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) said the case took place on April 2, involving a Singapore-registered rental car.

You may see the full video here.

Concealed cigarettes uncovered during checks

According to ICA, the vehicle was flagged based on information received from its Integrated Targeting Centre (ITC), prompting officers to direct it for enhanced inspection. During the checks, officers uncovered more than 1,300 packets and 217 cartons of duty-unpaid cigarettes. The contraband had been concealed within the vehicle’s door panels and boot.

The 40-year-old male Singaporean driver was subsequently arrested in connection with the case. The seized items and the suspect have since been referred to the Singapore Customs for further investigation.

ICA said it remains committed to safeguarding Singapore’s borders while facilitating trade and travel, adding that such enforcement actions are part of ongoing efforts to detect and deter smuggling activities.

Netizens react to smuggling attempt

The incident drew a range of reactions online, with some speculating about larger syndicates behind such cases. One commenter suggested that “there is definitely a connection with this cigarette brand syndicate,” pointing to the possibility of organised operations.

Others expressed scepticism, with one user questioning why similar cigarette brands often appear in such cases, asking if the repeated visuals were “just to say they are good”.

There were also calls for harsher penalties. One netizen remarked that offenders do not seem deterred, suggesting stricter punishments, such as caning, to curb such activities.

At the same time, some praised the authorities for their vigilance, with one user saying, “Excellent job ICA. Thank you for your service.”

However, others felt that current penalties may not be strong enough, with one comment stating that without mandatory sentencing, offenders may continue to take the risk.

The case highlights ongoing enforcement efforts at Singapore’s checkpoints, where authorities continue to rely on intelligence-led profiling and thorough inspections to detect illegal goods.

As smuggling attempts persist, ICA has reiterated its commitment to maintaining strict border controls to protect public safety and uphold the law

Read also: Checkpoint crackdown: More than 40 vaporisers seized in Woodlands bust, Singaporean man arrested

This article (More than 1,500 duty-unpaid cigarette packs seized at Woodlands Checkpoint, Singaporean driver arrested) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.