Vietnam restaurateur charged with buying endangered pangolin to cook for diners

Vo Thi Diem Kieu, 40, was identified as the owner of the restaurant.

Officers searched the residences and workplaces of Kieu, Tran Minh Son, 47, and Ho Minh Lap, 34, as part of the investigation into violations of regulations on the protection of rare, endangered animals.

According to police, the case came to light after officers from the economic police division under the provincial Department of Public Security inspected Hoa Nhan An Restaurant, operated by Saroman Company at 56 Hoang Van Thu Street in Nha Trang Ward on February 4.

Kieu served as the director of the company.

During the inspection, officials discovered the carcass of an animal suspected to be a pangolin in the kitchen area.

Subsequent forensic examination identified the animal as a Javan pangolin.

The Javan pangolin is classified as an endangered species in group IB on Vietnam’s government list of rare and endangered wildlife prioritized for protection.

The investigation results showed that Kieu instructed her staff to purchase a live pangolin.

She allegedly directed restaurant manager Lap to receive the animal and pass it on to head chef Son, who then slaughtered and prepared the meat for sale to diners at Hoa Nhan An Restaurant.

Police are continuing to expand the probe.