Wildlife Smugglers Caught With 81 Monkeys and Methamphetamine

Thai authorities arrested two men over the weekend who were found transporting 81 monkeys and an unspecified amount of methamphetamine near Thailand’s border with Cambodia, as reported by Fox News.

Officials say the men are believed to be part of an international wildlife trafficking network moving macaques out of the country.

The arrests occurred Friday in Sa Kaeo province, according to a statement from the 12th Ranger Forces Regiment. Thai rangers stopped the suspects’ vehicle and discovered the monkeys packed tightly into blue net bags.

Authorities said the men admitted to being involved in a smuggling ring that transports macaques from Thailand into Cambodia.

The rangers seized both the animals and the drugs found inside the vehicle. Officials did not immediately detail the condition of the monkeys or how long they had been confined in the bags.

Thai rangers arrested two men after finding 81 monkeys stuffed in bags — and meth — near the Cambodia border in a suspected wildlife smuggling case.

Thailand is a major transit point for wildlife smugglers.https://t.co/Jm5I4CmRz0

— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 17, 2025

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Thailand is considered a key transit route for wildlife traffickers who transport endangered animals to markets in China and parts of Southeast Asia.

Smuggling has persisted despite regular crackdowns by authorities, who frequently report intercepting animals ranging from primates to protected reptiles.

The arrests come less than a year after another wildlife smuggling case involving primates in the country. In May 2025, a 47-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempting to smuggle two baby orangutans into Thailand.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the man was apprehended at a gas station where he was allegedly preparing to hand the orangutans over to a buyer.

Thai authorities continue to coordinate with regional and international agencies to track wildlife trafficking networks, which often span multiple countries and involve organized criminal groups.

Cambodia and Thailand, in particular, have become frequent transit points for the illegal primate trade due to porous borders and demand from buyers who seek animals for private ownership, breeding operations, or black-market sales.

Officials did not disclose whether investigators believe the latest arrests are connected to previous smuggling attempts or if the suspects face additional charges related to drug possession.

The 12th Ranger Forces Regiment confirmed that the men remain in custody as the investigation continues.

The monkeys recovered from the vehicle are expected to be transferred to wildlife authorities for medical evaluation and placement.

Thai officials regularly issue public warnings that trafficking endangered or protected species is a criminal offense under the country’s wildlife protection laws.

The arrests highlight ongoing efforts by Thailand to disrupt wildlife trafficking routes and investigate cross-border networks involved in both animal smuggling and narcotics distribution.

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