Khanh Hoa Provincial Police on 6/3 temporarily detained Zhang Senlin, 44, a Chinese national, to investigate his alleged violations of regulations on the protection of endangered, precious, and rare animals.

Zhang Senlin at the investigative agency. *Photo: Khanh Hoa Police*

This arrest follows an earlier investigation in mid-February, when authorities prosecuted Vo Thi Diem Kieu, 40, Senlin's wife and director of Saroman Limited Company, which manages Hoa Nhan An restaurant. Tran Minh Son, 47, and Ho Minh Lap, 34, were also prosecuted and prohibited from leaving their residence for the same offense.

The investigation began on the evening of 4/2 when a working group from the Economic Police Department of Khanh Hoa Provincial Police inspected Hoa Nhan An restaurant. During the inspection, authorities discovered a dead Javan pangolin in the kitchen area. Javan pangolins are wild animals listed as endangered, precious, and rare, and are prioritized for protection under Vietnamese law. Senlin is accused of collaborating with his wife to instruct staff to order live pangolins, process them, and serve them to customers.

Vo Thi Diem Kieu at the investigative agency. *Photo: Khanh Hoa Police*

Bui Toan