Tuaran: Authorities have uncovered the alleged decades-long activities of a former forest ranger who was believed to have amassed a large collection of protected wildlife animal parts at his home in Kampung Wokok Batangan here.
The integrated operation, conducted at about 7.15am recently, involved the Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Investigation Intelligence (WCB/PSK) branch under the Internal Security and Public Order Department (JKDNKA) of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) Bukit Aman together with the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD).
WCB/PSK Commander of the General Operations Force JKDNKA Senior Assistant Commissioner Datuk Mohd Zaki Ashar said the raid resulted in the arrest of a 74-year-old local man and the seizure of various protected wildlife animal parts.
He said inspections at the suspect’s house uncovered 55 pairs of antlers believed to belong to deer, three rhinoceros horn pieces and 330 pangolin scales.
“Also seized were python carcasses and skins, a skull believed to belong to a hornbill, elephant bones and teeth, buffalo horns, bear bile, as well as several other animal parts,” he said in a statement.
According to Mohd Zaki, preliminary investigations found that the suspect allegedly obtained the wildlife parts by purchasing them from villagers in Sabah’s interior areas, in addition to collecting animal remains encountered during his service.
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He said the activities were believed to have started in 1986 when the suspect served as a forest ranger, before he retired in 2019 due to health reasons.
The total value of the seized items is estimated at RM589,230.
Mohd Zaki said the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) and Section 41(2) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 (Sabah).
“All arrests and seized items have been handed over to the Sabah Wildlife Department for further action,” he said.
The raid highlights ongoing enforcement efforts by authorities to combat wildlife crimes and illegal possession of protected animal parts in Sabah.
