Perhilitan nabs seven hard core poachers in Gua Musang

KUALA LUMPUR: Seven local men, believed to be hard core poachers, have been in Aring 5, Gua Musang, Kelantan, on Feb 10 in a joint operation by the Wildlife and National Parks Department ( Perhilitan) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).

Perhilitan director- general Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the suspects aged between 20 to 50 years, were arrested with animal parts worth about RM500,000 in 1Malaysia Biodiversity Enforcement Operation Network (1MBEON) under the National Blue Ocean Strategy ( NBOS).

“With the arrests, Perhilitan has crippled the main group of poachers in Kelantan responsible for killing wildlife such as elephants, gaurs, sambar deer and mountain goats.

“The poachers are believed to have killed at least 15 wild elephants since 2013 and sell the animal parts in the local market and a neighbouring country,” he told reporters in a press conference here, yesterday.

The seven suspects have been remanded for four days starting Feb 11 to assist investigation under Section 68 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.

Abdul Kadir said they seized four rif les, about 100 rounds of ammunition, three plastic explosives, detonators and two four-wheel drive vehicles.

Following the arrests, Perhilitan raided three premises in Tanah Merah and four premises in Gua Musang.

They seized two elephant tusks, smoked elephant meat, nine chainsaws and 56 rounds of ammunition.

“Perhilitan is working with the Royal Malaysian Police ( PDRM) since the case involves the use of firearms and explosives,” he added. — Bernama