Hanoi -
Two men caught carrying the frozen carcasses of a tiger and three monkeys have been arrested in central Vietnam, police said on Monday.
Nguyen Dac Dung, 51 and Nguyen Dac Phu, 19, were arrested on Tuesday for illegally transporting endangered species, said Lieutenant Colonel Luong The Loc, chief of police in Thanh Chuong District, Nghe An province.
Phu told police he was delivering the monkeys following a request from his mother Nguyen Thi Nhuong, Loc said.
Police searched Nhuong's home and found five more frozen monkeys and 140 kilograms of frozen tiger.
The species of the monkeys has not been identified yet.
Monkeys considered a delicacy in Vietnam.
Tigers are often used to make paste for traditional medicine. The paste is made by boiling the bones until they form a gel, which can be dried into a powder and consumed with wine. It is used to treat arthritis and is believed by some to improve sexual potency.
Tiger parts are also used in making wine, and sold as decorations. - Sapa-dpa