Man nabbed in Betong with RM553k worth of illegal wildlife body parts, firearms
BETONG (May 5): A local man has been detained while several body parts of protected wildlife and a number of homemade firearms were seized during a joint operation here late last month.
The operation, which was carried out by the Marine Police Force (PPM) Region 5 Sarawak in collaboration with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), took place on April 24 following intelligence gathering and surveillance conducted at two separated locations in Betong district.
'In the first raid carried out in Betong town, the team successfully detained a local man in possession of three units of 'batu geliga'.
'Preliminary investigations suspect that the stones originated from porcupines.
'A weighing scale, believed to have been used for transactions involving the stones in the local market, was also confiscated,' Marine Region 5 Sarawak commander ACP Ab Rahman Mat Hasan said in a statement.
He added that a follow-up raid at the suspect's residence in Ulu Layar led to the discovery of a large quantity of forest produce and wildlife parts believed to be kept for illegal trade.
'Among the items seized were 5.81 kilogrammes of agarwood, 220 porcupine quills, three 'batu geliga' stones, and 156 feathers from the argus pheasant.
'Also seized were three homemade shotguns with 111 rounds of buckshot, as well as one homemade air rifle and 100 pellets,' he said.
All wildlife-related items were handed over to the SFC for further action under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998.
Meanwhile, the firearms and ammunition were handed over to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Betong District Police Headquarters for investigation under the Arms Act 1960.
'If convicted under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998, offenders may face up to five years' imprisonment and a fine ranging from RM25,000 to RM50,000 for each fully protected animal.
'For offences involving unlicensed possession of firearms under the Arms Act 1960, the offender may face up to seven years in prison, a fine of up to RM10,000, or both,' he stressed.
The total estimated value of the seizure was RM553,550.
Ab Rahman stressed that the police remain committed to combating smuggling and illegal possession of wildlife and firearms.
'Cooperation and information from the public are highly encouraged to ensure such criminal activities can be effectively eradicated,' he said. crime firearms possession protected wildlife Sarawak Forestry Corporation
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Borneo Post
Four Indonesians jailed, fined for possessing nearly 5,000 turtle eggs in Serikin
Some of the turtle eggs seized by authorities. — Photo via Facebook/Sarawak Forestry Corporation KUCHING (July 19): Four Indonesian nationals have been sentenced to jail and fined by the Sessions Courts here today for the illegal possession of a total of 4,866 marine turtle eggs without a licence or permission from the Controller of Wild Life. All four pleaded guilty to charges framed under Section 37(1) of the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998, punishable under Section 29(1)(c) and read together with Section 37(2)(a) of the same Ordinance. In Sessions Court 3, Denis Bobegi Septa was sentenced to six months' imprisonment after admitting to possessing 600 marine turtle eggs, which were found packed in plastic bags inside brown boxes. Authorities also seized RM1,500 in Malaysian currency and 9 million Indonesian Rupiah from him. The case was heard before Judge Saiful Bahari Adzmi and prosecuted by Simon Engka Crown. In the same court, Romiati was sentenced to four months' imprisonment for possessing 435 marine turtle eggs. The case was prosecuted by Willy Chin Siaw Min. Meanwhile, In Sessions Court 2, Iin Pretika was handed an eight-month prison sentence and fined RM55,000, in default four months' imprisonment. The case was heard before Judge Zuraidah Binti Zakaria and prosecuted by Leonard Baring. In Sessions Court 1, Sri Astuti received a four-month prison sentence and was fined RM12,910, in default three months' imprisonment. Judge Iris Awen Jon presided over the case, which was prosecuted by Peter Buga. Commenting on the court rulings, Controller of Wild Life Abang Arabi Abang Aimran said the decisions send a strong message to wildlife traffickers. 'These court decisions are a clear warning to traffickers that Sarawak takes wildlife crimes seriously. We will continue to strengthen operations, intelligence gathering, and public collaboration to protect the marine turtle population,' he said in a recent statement. According to the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), the convictions stemmed from a joint operation carried out by SFC and Region 5 Marine Police under Operasi Bersepadu Khazanah. The raids were conducted at a lodging and a stall at Serikin Market in Bau, near the Malaysia–Indonesia border. The operation followed intelligence gathered by SFC, targeting a syndicate suspected of involvement in the smuggling and illegal trade of protected wildlife. SFC noted that the smuggling of marine turtle eggs across borders constitutes a serious transnational wildlife crime, threatening the survival of endangered turtle species and undermining ongoing conservation efforts. 'Smugglers often exploit gaps in border surveillance to traffic these eggs, feeding black market demand and exacerbating the decline of already vulnerable turtle populations,' SFC stated. In a separate case, Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) foiled an attempt to smuggle 5,400 turtle eggs on July 6 this year. The eggs were discovered hidden in cardboard boxes and backpacks aboard KMP Bahtera Nusantara 03 at Kapet Sintete Port, Sambas. SFC has urged the public to assist in protecting wildlife by reporting any suspected offences. Information can be channelled through the following hotlines: 019-8859996 (Kuching), 019-8883561 (Sibu), 019-8332737 (Bintulu), and 019-8290994 (Miri). fine Indonesian nationals jail Serikin turtle eggs
The Star
18-07-2025
- The Star
Cops seize ‘realistic' toy guns sold to students
MELAKA: Melaka police have seized 351 toy pistols resembling real firearms and marketed mainly to schoolchildren. Melaka police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said his men uncovered the sale of imitation firearms, believed to be marketed to students, following a raid at a business premises in Taman Teknologi Cheng here. 'These toy guns were purchased from a neighbouring country at a price of RM20 to RM30 each, and resold for as much as RM300, bringing the estimated total value of the seizure to RM105,300,' he said at a press conference at the Melaka Tengah district police headquarters here yesterday. DCP Dzulkhairi said preliminary investigation revealed that there were incidents where teachers found these types of toy guns in students' schoolbags. 'The students said the toy guns were being used to shoot lizards.' DCP Dzulkhairi said his men also seized two boxes of plastic pellets stored in the back of the premises. 'The operator didn't have a valid licence or permit to import the imitation weapons. We also arrested a 42-year-old man, believed to be the caretaker of the premises, during the raid. 'Investigations revealed that sales were made both online and via walk-in customers at the premises, which also sold other types of toys,' he added. The case is being investigated under Section 36 of the Arms Act 1960, which carries a penalty of up to one year in prison, a maximum fine of RM5,000, or both upon conviction.
Malay Mail
17-07-2025
- Malay Mail
Police helicopter wreckage retrieved from Johor's Sungai Pulai, black box next in probe
ISKANDAR PUTERI, July 17 — The wreckage of the police Airbus AS355N helicopter that crashed in Sungai Pulai, Gelang Patah here last Thursday was successfully recovered today. The wreckage of the twin-engine light utility helicopter was earlier floated above the water level at 11am, before being lifted onto a by crane into a salvage vessel about 15 minutes later. The operation, which started at 8am, saw the salvage vessel and two Marine Police Force (MPF) patrol boats at the location of the helicopter's crash site before raising the wreckage. Clear and favourable weather conditions helped the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and MPF divers in the wreckage recovery efforts. At the nearby Sungai Pulai operations centre, representatives from the police, RMN, Air Accident Investigation Bureau, Tanjung Pelepas Port, Johor Port Authority, the Fire and Rescue Department and Health Ministry were at hand to assist in the recovery efforts. Following the successful recovery, investigators will probe into the helicopter's communication recording device that is believed to be inside the wreckage. Last Thursday, the Airbus AS355N police helicopter with registration number 9M-PHG crashed while performing a flypast simulation in conjunction with the Multi-Directional Exercise on Nuclear Security Detection, Malaysia-Indonesia-Thailand-Singapore (MITSATOM) 2025 joint exercise. However, the helicopter's five crew members, who are police personnel, survived the crash. The incident left two crew members, Constable RG Devendran from the Tanjung Kupang police station and Corporal Adeline Liu Yan Sin, from the police air unit, in critical condition. The helicopter's pilot, Assistant Commissioner Faizul Muhammad; his co-pilot, Superintendent Ahmad Bustamin Baharom and Sergeant Siti Latipa Khairuddin were reported to be recovering and in stable condition. All five victims are currently receiving treatment at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) here. The Airbus AS355N, prior to that it was under Eurocopter, is a popular variant and used by both private individuals and companies, private helicopter charter, as well as law enforcement and government service. The police currently operate a fleet of five Airbus AS355N helicopters since taking delivery in 1996.
