3 Vietnamese nationals fined, imprisoned in Malaysia for wildlife possession

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) – Three Vietnamese nationals were handed down imprisonment terms ranging from 15 months to 12 years and fined a total of 128.9 million Malaysian Ringgit ($32.9 million) on Thursday for possession of wildlife parts without permits three years ago.

They will additionally serve an extra eight years and six months' imprisonment if they fail to pay the fine, according to the state-run news agency Bernama.

Bui Thi Ngan, 56, her brother Bui Van Noi, 48, and a male friend, Bui Van Anh, 38, were found with nearly 1,000 parts of various animal species, including endangered ones, which is prohibited under Malaysian law.

The species include pangolins, sun bears, striped leopards, black leopards, clouded leopards, Asian elephants, hogs, wild boars, wolves, porcupines, deer and snakes.