Three nabbed in RM4.7mil cockfight raid in Sabah

New Straits Times

28-07-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have busted a major illegal cockfighting syndicate in Papar, Sabah, arresting three men and seizing nearly 1,000 fighting cocks along with equipment valued at RM4.7 million.
The raid took place on July 25 at an unnumbered lot in Kampung Kambizaan, Jalan Kayau Kambizaan.
Those arrested include a local Chinese man, an Indonesian, and a Filipino, aged between 38 and 59.
"This operation was launched to curb the illegal rearing of fighting cocks from neighbouring countries and to combat gambling activities linked to cockfighting in Sabah," Federal Police Management Department director Datuk Azmi Abu Kassim said in a statement yesterday.
The joint raid uncovered 936 live fighting cocks believed to be of Philippine breed, along with 30 iron cages and 107 chicken tagging irons.
The raid involved personnel from the Papa district Criminal Investigations Department, the 16th Battalion General Operations Force (GOF), Kota Kinabalu Veterinary Services Department, and the Papar District Council.
Azmi said the three suspects were believed to be illegally importing and training fighting cocks for illegal cockfighting events, which often involve high-stakes gambling.
Among the seized items were five boxes and two bottles of vitamins, a paper bag containing Terumo syringes, a box of 100 Agani needles, and a plastic bag filled with Terumo U-100 insulin — tools commonly used for animal doping.
"The total estimated value of the seizure was RM4,684,825.20," Azmi said.
Terumo is a brand known for medical syringes and needles often used in veterinary and human healthcare.
The suspects are being investigated under Section 15(1) of the Animal Enactment 2015 for importing animals without a valid licence issued by the Veterinary Department.
Azmi urged the public to abide by all laws and report any suspicious activities that may threaten public safety and order.
From Jan 1 to July 27 July this year, the Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Intelligence Investigation (WCB/PSK) conducted 179 raids nationwide, resulting in 314 arrests.
The offences included smuggling of untaxed goods, misappropriation of controlled and subsidised items, sale of imitation weapons, wildlife trafficking, and e-waste operations.
The total estimated value of seizures during this period stands at RM550.95 million.