Police in Chachoengsao province have detained a 26-year-old man for having protected wildlife animals including otters and their carcasses.

Police also confiscated three soft-shelled turtle carcasses and those of two pangolins from the suspect’s house in Plaeng Yao district. The suspect, whose name was withheld, will be charged with violating the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act, B.E. 2535 (1992), which prohibits the trade in and possession of protected species.

The arrest was made after police learned about advertisements on social media networks, offering protected species for sale.

The officials posed as the buyers of two otter cubs, priced at Bt9,000, and arranged to meet the vendor at his house to hand them over.

The public have been warned that individuals found in possession of protected species can face imprisonment for up to five years and/or a fine of up to Bt500,000 on conviction.

Those involved in trading in protected species without a licence can face imprisonment for up to 10 years and/or a fine of up to Bt100,000 on conviction.