TAWAU: An 86-year-old man was arrested in Kampung Kalumpang, Jalan Tawau–Semporna, during a joint operation by the Special Investigation Intelligence Unit (WCB) and the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) yesterday.
Authorities also seized various suspected protected wildlife products, including meat from deer, barking deer and porcupine, as well as a live pangolin and a monkey, said SWD director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar.
The operation involving the Intelligence Branch of the 22nd Battalion, General Operations Force (GOF), Kunak, was conducted following intelligence on illegal wildlife-related activities in the area.
He said officers discovered the items stored in a refrigerator inside the suspect’s house.
“The suspect is being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 for possession of wildlife and wildlife products without valid documentation or permits,” said Soffian.
Upon conviction, he said offenders may face fines ranging from RM50,000 to RM250,000, as well as imprisonment of between one and five years.
Preliminary investigations suggest the suspect may have been involved in the illegal sale of protected wildlife products to tourists in Semporna, he added.
SWD stressed that the possession, trade and storage of protected wildlife without authorisation is a serious offence under the law.
He urged members of the public with information on illegal hunting or wildlife trading activities to report them to the authorities to support enforcement and conservation efforts. – Wu Vuide
A live pangolin.
