SEMPORNA: The General Operation Force (GOF) seized 570 turtle shells following an operation carried out with the Sabah Wildlife Department (JHL) on Saturday.
The operation involved the 22nd Battalion General Operations Force Task Force and JHL at the town areas.
Acting on their intelligence, the team raided a premise suspected being used to store illegal wildlife items, including shells.
“The team discovered a box containing 570 shells or scale in various sizes weighing about 17.8kg,” he said.
All the items were obtained via catching and smuggling of turtles. Two men were detained to assist in investigations.
All the seizures worth RM14,240 and suspects were handed over to the JHL for further action under Section 41(1) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, while one of the suspects was investigated under the Immigration Act 1959/63.
GOF said the operation is part of their continuous efforts in combating smuggling activities involving protected animals.
They added that they would continue to intensify patrol, intelligence and integrated action to combat such activity and to protect our biodiversity.
