“KUALA LUMPUR, May 13 — Police arrested a man and seized various protected wildlife parts worth more than RM5.3 million during a raid at an antique shop on Jalan Gaya in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, today. Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department’s Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Intelligence Investigation (WCB/PSK) commander Datuk Mohd Zaki Ashar said the 53-year-old suspect, who is also the owner of the shop, was arrested during the raid at 9.45am. Inspections uncovered 16 tusks believed to be from wild boars, nine teeth believed to be from tigers, 10 teeth believed to be from bears, 13 bezoar stones, and 394 swiftlet nests weighing 2,243 grammes. “Initial investigations found that the man admitted purchasing swiftlet nests and bezoar stones from a supplier in Lintas, Sabah, without a valid licence or permit. “The protected wildlife parts are believed to have been obtained from villagers in Tawau at low prices before being sold in the local market around Kota Kinabalu,” he said in a statement today. Mohd Zaki said all the items were kept without permits from the authorities, with the total value of the seizure estimated at RM5.32 million. The suspect and seized items were taken to the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters before being handed over to the Sabah Wildlife Department for further action. The case is being investigated under Sections 41(1) and 41(2) of the Sabah Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997. — Bernama
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