Latest news with #snifferdogs
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Who's leading the Perhilitan bust against animal smugglers in KLIA? Meet MAHB's canine heroes Van and Perry
SEPANG, May 14 – Two sniffer dogs named Van and Perry are at the forefront of efforts to curb wildlife smuggling through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), following their deployment by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) Peninsular Malaysia. The Belgian Malinois dogs, donated by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) and trained in the Netherlands, are specially conditioned to detect endangered wildlife species. 'From January 2023 to March 2025, our collaboration with Perhilitan led to the rescue of RM5.4 million worth of protected wildlife,' said MAHB in a Facebook post. 'Trained to detect hidden wildlife in luggage, these four-legged heroes help stop smuggling before it takes flight,' it added, referring to Van and Perry. According to a Harian Metro report, the duo can detect contrabands listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), such as elephant ivory, rhino horns, pangolin scales, snakes, and turtles. Perhilitan Director-General Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim was quoted saying the canines have bolstered enforcement as smuggling syndicates continue to use KLIA as a key transit point, with over 4,200 exotic animals seized. 'To date, Perhilitan has opened 10 investigation papers related to wildlife smuggling through KLIA during this period,' he said, adding that common targets included turtles, snakes, birds and primates. 'Typically, these animals are placed in plastic containers, wrapped in boxes or covered with adhesive tape before being checked in as baggage,' he said, crediting intelligence gathering and coordination with other enforcement agencies for intercepting many of the attempts. Abdul Kadir noted a 42 per cent rise in wildlife seizures in 2024 compared to the previous year, highlighting species such as baby siamangs, iguanas, birds and turtles among the most frequently trafficked. Royal Malaysian Customs Department Director-General Datuk Anis Rizana Mohd Zainudin was also quoted saying the agency remains committed to disrupting wildlife smuggling networks despite ongoing challenges. She cited previous enforcement successes, including the seizure of snakes, monitor lizards and red-eared slider turtles bound for India, and the arrest of an Indian national caught trying to smuggle out pangolin scales. The report said flights between KLIA and Indian cities like Mumbai and Chennai have become preferred routes for smuggling syndicates, with Indian authorities recording 56 wildlife seizure cases in 2022, nearly half of which involved arrivals from Kuala Lumpur.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Dramatic moment police storm Ryanair jet after bomb threat forces major Belgian airport to suspend flights and set up security perimeter
Police dramatically marched onto a Ryanair plane after a hoax bomb threat forced Belgium's second largest airport to suspend a number of flights today. Shocking footage shows officers storming onto the jet as panicked passengers dart their gaze in several directions amid the commotion. As police hurried towards the back of the aircraft at Charleroi Airport, worried travellers stood from their seats whilst others raised their phones. A series of flights were suspended at Belgium's second largest airport after 'a bomb threat was triggered' on a landed jet at around 11am local time (9am GMT). A security perimeter was set up around the aircraft, meaning the runway had to be closed and operations were paused. Belgian prosecutors have since confirmed they were informed by Interpol 'that the report was in fact a hoax.' Amid the chaos, a separate angle showed a Ryanair passenger sitting on the plane whilst specialist cops dressed in all-black gear stood outside. Travellers alighted the plane, gathering their baggage while police officers and sniffer dogs inspected and combed the plane as well as the surrounding area. Flights eventually resumed at around 1.45pm (12.45GMT) that same day, Ryanair later confirmed. Charleroi Airport, located in the south of France, is a major European hub for low-cost airline Ryanair. In 2023 alone, the airport served over nine million passengers, both arriving and departing, offering flights to 200 destinations across the globe. Earlier today, a Ryanair spokesperson said: 'Ryanair was informed of a security threat on flight FR6313 from Faro to Brussels Charleroi today, 13th May. 'The aircraft landed normally at Charleroi as planned. 'Passengers have been disembarked and the aircraft is being prepared for return to service. We sincerely apologise to any passengers affected.' The terminal was not evacuated, as it does not fall within the 500m perimeter. Nathalie Pierard, an airport spokesperson, told The Brussels Times this morning: 'The plane has been moved to a separate area of the airport. 'The runway and the main road behind it are closed, and a security perimeter of 500 metres has been set up. 'The police are on the scene and the 166 passengers will be evacuated from the plane once approved by the police. 'It is currently unclear how long the disruption will last.'
