KUCHING: A multi-district wildlife sweep by the Sarawak General Operations Force (GOF) led to the arrest of five locals and the seizure of protected animals and parts valued at over RM244,000.
The operation, codenamed Ops Bersepadu Khazanah (OBK), was conducted from May 13 to 15 across Kuching, Bau, Miri, Sibu, and Sri Aman.
Sarawak GOF Brigade Deputy Commander, ACP Rosdi Inai, said the coordinated raids targeted three houses and two premises believed to be illegal storage points for protected wildlife and parts.
He added that the raids involved officers from the intelligence branches of the GOF Brigade Headquarters, 10th, 11th, 12th, and 23rd Battalions.
“Four men and a woman, aged between 36 and 74, were taken into custody.
“Among the seizures were fifteen birds and eight turtles in Bau, 36 birds and 40 turtles in Kuching, seven birds in Miri, seven squirrels in Sibu and nine sambar deer antlers in Sri Aman.
“The total seizure value is estimated at RM244,135, according to market price,” he said.
Rosdi said the suspects and the seizures have been handed over to the respective Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) branches for further action.
The cases are being investigated under Section 29, Section 29(2) and Section 33(1) of the Wildlife Ordinance 1998, involving illegal possession, trade, and storage of protected species and parts.
