Big-headed turtles (Platysternon megacephalum) are among endangered species subject to the highest protection level under Vietnamese and international law (Photo: Education for Nature-Vietnam)
Hanoi (VNA) – A wildlife traffickerhas been sent to prison for 10 years by the People’s Court of Dien Biendistrict, the northwestern province of Dien Bien.
The defendant, Cao Xuan Nai, was found guilty ofviolating regulations on protecting endangered, precious and rare animals as stipulatedin Point b of Clause 3, Article 244 of the revised 2015 Penal Code.
Nai was arrested near the Tay Trang Border Gateon April 2, 2018, while he was trafficking 27 big-headed turtles (Platysternonmegacephalum) weighing 10.5kg and four feet of Asian black bears (Ursusthibetanus) weighing 13kg in total on National Highway 279.
Big-headed turtles and Asian black bears areendangered species subject to the highest protection level under Vietnamese andinternational law, including the Convention on International Trade inEndangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The arrest was made over three months after therevised 2015 Penal Code took effect. The code raises the maximum penalty forwildlife-related violations to 15 years or 2 billion VND (85,900 USD) in finesfor involved individuals; and 15 billion VND (644,500 USD) in fines, suspendingoperations from 6 months to 3 years or forcing to shut down for involved legalentities.
Commenting on this case, Deputy Director of theEducation for Nature-Vietnam (ENV) Bui Thi Ha said the 2015 Penal Code hasbegun to show its significance in the fight against wildlife crime. EVN hopesthat the punishment will be an expensive lesson for the defendant and helpdeter those who intend to make illegal profit from wild animals.-VNA
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Big-headed turtles (Platysternon megacephalum) are among endangered species subject to the highest protection level under Vietnamese and international law (Photo: Education for Nature-Vietnam) 
