The police on Thursday arrested a woman at her house in Phichit and seized a large number of Indo-Chinese Rat Snakes, a protected species.
During the search operation, the authorities seized seven sacks of Indo-Chinese Rat Snakes (Ptyas korros), weighing a total of 34.26 kilograms and four sacks, containing the carcasses of Indo-Chinese Rat Snakes, weighing a total of 5 kilograms, hidden in a freezer and two mobile phones used for snake trading.
Ms.Chanphen Rerngjit, aged 45, a Phichit native, who presented herself as the homeowner during a search operation was found to be the owner of a large number of snakes.
She admitted to purchasing snakes from local villagers at approximately 170 baht per kilogram and selling them for around 200-300 baht per kilogram. She stated that the carcasses were sold at lower prices.
Based on phone records and financial transactions, it was found that the trading turnover for snakes amounted to no less than 100,000 baht per transaction, with established export routes to neighboring countries.
Initial investigations revealed no permits for the ownership of protected wildlife, and all the animals within the premises had never been registered. Police authorities are expanding their investigation to apprehend further members of the snake trafficking network.
Additionally, there was a seasonal rotation of smuggling various wildlife species, including monkeys, lizards, and cobras.
Indo-Chinese Rat Snakes are considered protected wildlife since 2003 due to their significant ecological importance. These non-venomous snakes pose no threat to humans and play a crucial role in controlling populations of disease-carrying rodents, thus maintaining the ecological balance.
The illegal trade and consumption of Indo-Chinese Rat Snakes disrupt this balance, leading to increased reliance on chemical means to control pest populations, posing risks to both humans and other animals.
Penalties for illegal possession can include imprisonment for up to 5 years or fines up to 500,000 baht, or both. For traders, penalties may include imprisonment for up to 10 years, fines up to 1,000,000 baht, or both. (TNA)
