The arrested werePhan Van Dung and his wife Dang Thi Lai, both born in 1978 and residing in TaySon township of Huong Son district. Their vehicle was heading to Tay Sontownship from the Cau Treo international border gate.
The pangolins,weighing about 150 kg, were hidden in the trunk.
The couple admittedthey were hired by a person living in Laos’ Laksao town to transport the wildanimals to Vietnam through the Cau Treo international border gate.
Authorised agencies seizedrelevant exhibits to carry out further investigation.
The pangolin is oneof the most trafficked mammals in the world. In Vietnam, illegal hunting,trading, poaching and transportation of even one pangolin carries punishment ofone to five years imprisonment and a fine of between 500 million VND (22,000USD) and 2 billion VND (86,728 USD).-VNA