Sabah raid uncovers wildlife hoard of rhino horns, pangolin scales, elephant bones in former ranger’s Tuaran home
KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — A man believed to be a former forest ranger was arrested after allegedly possessing various parts of protected wildlife, estimated to be worth RM589,230, in a raid in Tuaran, Sabah, yesterday.
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department’s Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Intelligence Investigation (WCB/PSK) commander Datuk Mohd Zaki Ashar Datuk Mohd Zaki Ashar said the 61-year-old man was arrested around 7.15 am in an operation resulting from the collaboration between WCB/PSK and the Sabah Wildlife Department.
He said the inspection found 55 pairs of antlers believed to be deer antlers, three rhino horns, 330 pangolin scales, as well as the carcasses and skins of pythons, hornbill skulls, elephant bones and teeth, sambar deer antlers, bear skulls, and several other parts of wild animals.
“The total value of the seizure is estimated at RM589,230,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Mohd Zaki said the preliminary investigation found that the suspect obtained the animal parts by purchasing them from villagers in the interior of Sabah, in addition to collecting animal parts made into a personal collection.
He said the suspect is believed to have started collecting parts of wild animals since serving as a forest ranger in 1986 before taking voluntary retirement in 2019 due to health reasons.
He said the case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 for possessing or hunting protected wildlife, as well as Section 41(2) of the same enactment for possessing or selling protected wildlife.
“If convicted, the suspect can be fined a minimum of RM50,000 and up to a maximum of RM250,000 or imprisoned for up to five years for an offence under Section 41(1).
“For offences under Section 41(2), the offender can be fined a minimum of RM30,000 to a maximum of RM100,000 or imprisoned for up to three years,” he also said.
He added that the suspect along with the seized items were taken to the Tuaran district police headquarters before being handed over to the Sabah Wildlife Department’s investigating officer for further action.
