SEMPORNA: The General Operations Force (GOF) seized 570 turtle shells during a joint operation with the Sabah Wildlife Department in Semporna on Saturday.
The raid, carried out by the 22nd Battalion and wildlife officers in the town area, followed intelligence pointing to a premise used to store illegal wildlife products.
Officers found a box containing shells of various sizes weighing 17.8 kilogrammes, believed to have been obtained through the catching and smuggling of turtles.
Two men were detained to assist investigations, with the RM14,240 haul and the suspects handed to the Wildlife Department for action under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment, while one suspect is also being probed under the Immigration Act.
The GOF said the operation reflects ongoing efforts to curb smuggling of protected species and pledged to intensify patrols and intelligence work to protect Sabah’s biodiversity.
