Four detained for possession of protected animal
KOTA KINABALU: Four local men aged between 23-43 years old were detained for possession of a protected animal without any permit from the Sabah Wildlife Department.
Sabah Wildlife Department Public Relations Officer Siti Nur’ain Ampuan Acheh in a statement yesterday said all the suspects were detained during a joint road-block between Sabah Wildlife Department and Sabah Forestry Department at Sabah Foundation’s concession area entrance gate at Sungai Millian, Tongod at 9.05 am yesterday.
She said the department’s enforcement officers also confiscated two carcasses believed to be that of barking deers, at the roadblock.
“The roadblock was carried out following a tip-off from the public about a group of hunters entering the area. The roadblock was a joint enforcement effort involving six staff from the Sabah Wildlife Department and two staff from the Sabah Forestry Department,” she said.
According to Siti Nur’ain, a four-Wheel Drive vehicle and a motorcycle were also confiscated from the suspects.
A police report was lodged at the Kinabatangan Police Station for further investigation by the Wildlife Department under Section 41(2) of Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 for possession of a protected animal and animal product without any permit from the Sabah Wildlife Department.
The penalty for the offence is a minimum fine of RM30,000 but not exceeding RM100,000 or imprisonment of at least six months but not exceeding three years or both on conviction.