Kota Kinabalu: A local man was arrested for allegedly selling wildlife parts believed to be from protected species (pic), worth RM5.32 million, during Ops Antique at a business premises here on Wednesday.
In a statement Friday, the Sabah Wildlife Department said the operation, conducted jointly with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), led to the seizure of various wildlife parts believed to be from protected species, including 16 canine teeth suspected to be from wild boars, nine teeth believed to be from tigers and 10 teeth suspected to be from bears.
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Also seized were various edible bird’s nest products of different weights and 13 stones believed to be porcupine bezoars.
The man was detained to assist in investigations under Sections 41(1) and 41(2) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 for possessing, keeping and displaying wildlife parts without valid authorisation.
Under the enactment, offenders may be fined between RM30,000 and RM100,000, jailed for up to one year, or both, upon conviction. For offences involving totally protected species, offenders may be fined between RM50,000 and RM250,000 and jailed for between one and five years.
The integrated operation also involved Bukit Aman’s Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Investigation Intelligence (WCB/PSK).
The department expressed appreciation for its strategic cooperation with the police in combating wildlife crime in the State and urged the public to provide information on wildlife-related activities to support conservation and enforcement efforts in Sabah.
