MIRI – Sarawak authorities have detained nine foreigners during an operation in central Sarawak over the possession of body parts of hornbills and pangolins and some rare scented wood.
The suspects were caught along Sg Melatai in the Baleh district near the Sarawak-Kalimantan border during a joint operation between the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and state marine police.
“The ops was carried out after months of groundwork and information gathering,” SFC chief executive officer Zolkilpli Mohd Aton said in a statement.
Zolkipli said the animal parts seized were identified to have come from rhinoceros hornbills and pangolins.
The animal parts and the scented woods are estimated to be worth about RM54,000, he said.
Zolkipli said the suspects have been brought to the Kapit police station and will be charged under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998.
On Friday, the SFC cracked down on four handicraft outlets in Miri that were found selling wildlife parts.
Enforcement teams seized some 700 items that included bear paws, eagle claws, body parts and feathers of peacocks, deer antlers, furs, skins and a deerskin handbag.
Anyone with information on poaching, trading or the keeping of protected wildlife are urged to contact SFC’s hotlines at 019-8859996 (Kuching), 019-8883561 (Sibu), 019-8332737 (Bintulu), or 019-8290994 (Miri). – The Vibes, April 25, 2022
