4 persons were arrested in Rawai for smuggling protected marine species according to the Phuketgazette. “The suspects, 34-year-old Pichit Bangjak and three minors, were arrested at 11am in a pickup truck parked along Thepkrasattri Road in Rassada, near the Phuket Highways Department Office. A search of foam coolers in the bed of the truck uncovered 250 aquarium fish, 300 corals and 20 sea fans ready for transport in plastic bags and other types of packaging.” The fish were in route to Bangkok where they were to be sold to buyers. The value of the livestock was over $6,000.
