A dead pangolin found in the kitchen of Hoa Nhan An restaurant during a police inspection in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam, in this handout image provided by police.
Investigators from the provincial police charged and detained Zhang Senlin, 44, to investigate alleged violations of regulations on the protection of endangered and rare animals.
The case stems from an inspection by the economic police unit at Hoa Nhan An restaurant in Nha Trang, owned by Vo Thi Diem Kieu, where authorities found a dead animal suspected to be a pangolin in the kitchen area.
An examination later identified the animal as a Javan pangolin, a wildlife species listed as endangered and rare and prioritized for protection.
Police said Kieu had ordered staff to buy a live pangolin and instructed restaurant manager Ho Minh Lap, 34, to receive it and hand it to chef Tran Minh Son, 47, both residents of Khanh Hoa Province, to slaughter and cook for customers at the restaurant.
Investigators had previously charged Kieu, Lap, and Son and searched their homes and workplaces as part of the probe.
Expanding the investigation, police said Zhang, Kieu's husband, had jointly directed the purchase of the live pangolin and instructed staff to slaughter and prepare it for diners at the restaurant.
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