Phuket Fisheries officials, accompanied by representatives from the Thalang District Office, have confiscated 22 baby crocodiles from a house in the sub-district of Srisoontorn.
The seizure took place yesterday, according to a Phuket Express report. Officials were acting on a tip-off that baby crocodiles were being sold online and delivered across Thailand.
The Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) is a medium-sized freshwater crocodile native to Indonesia (Borneo and possibly Java), Brunei, East Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
The owner of the house has been named only as 35 year old Mr Teeradet. Twenty-two freshwater crocodiles were found around a cement pool at the property. All the reptiles have been taken into care.
According to the report, Teeradet told the authorities that he used to have a valid licence to possess and sell crocodiles. However, his licence expired in September last year and he did not renew it.
He faces charges of illegally possessing protected animals and was taken to Thalang Police Station for processing.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express
