Bangladesh Just Arrested 3 MAS Employees For Smuggling 30 Tortoises Worth RM1,050,000
Two of them were also sentenced to one-year imprisonment.
By Sadho Ram — 14 Feb 2016, 10:35 AM — Updated over 8 years ago
Malaysia Airlines denied that the three tortoise smugglers were its employees, and are still conducting investigation
On Friday night, Bangladeshi news claimed that the three suspects were MAS staff but are now found to be "service providers" for ground handling at the airport.
"The company has zero tolerance for employees, contractors or service providers who are guilty of criminal offences and illegal activities," said MAS in the statement to Bernama. "We will not hesitate to take the necessary action".
malaysiakini.com
14 FEB: On Friday night, 12 February, three MAS employees were arrested for trying to smuggle 30 tortoises, The Star Online reported citing a report by Bangla daily Prothom Alo. The tortoises were seized at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, The Star added.
Identified as 35-year-old Deputy Station Manager Samiur Rahman, 29-year-old Passenger Service Specialist Jewel Ahmed, and 30-year-old Baggage Handler Mizanur Rahman, all three of them were fined RM5,150 each by a mobile court at the airport. Two of them, Jewel and Mizanur, were also sentenced to one-year imprisonment.
It quoted Armed Police Battalion (APBn) senior deputy superintendent Alamgir as saying that the consignment of tortoises was seized at Departure Belt No. 4 at the airport around 6pm local time Friday, inside three trolley bags with MAS tags.
The report said that three passengers en route to Kuala Lumpur were found not to be involved with the smuggling after interrogation and checking of video footages.
Further investigation found that the three MAS officials were involved in the smuggling along with Civil Aviation scan operator Hasan Parvez who managed to escape. Civil Aviation authorities have been instructed to take action against him.
According to the report, the tortoises were handed over to Forest Department Wildlife Crime Control Unit Inspector Ashim Mallick, who said they were later released at the Bangabandhu Safari Park in Gazipur and were worth around RM1,050,000
