Two babies found as police, Perhilitan arrest eight Myanmar nationals in Kelantan wildlife raid

KOTA BHARU, June 10 — Eight Myanmar nationals, including two women, were arrested in a joint police–Perhilitan operation against illegal hunting and wildlife offences at a 24-hectare durian plantation in Kampung Mia, Kuala Krai, today.

Kuala Krai district police chief Supt Mazlan Mamat said that acting on a public tip-off, police and the Wildlife and National Parks Department jointly conducted Op Bersepadu/Op Khazanah from midnight until 6am. Authorities also found a baby boy and a baby girl with the group.

He said an air rifle and two spears, believed to have been used for illegal hunting, were seized during the operation.

“Inspections also uncovered six suspected wildlife claws, 12 suspected wildlife fangs, seven suspected wildlife bones, six suspected wildlife body parts, as well as a container filled with meat believed to be from wildlife,” he said in a statement.

The case is being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, Section 8(a) of the Arms Act 1960, Section 7(1) of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1958, and the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716).

He said the success of the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of strategic cooperation between police and Perhilitan, as well as the importance of public information in efforts to combat illegal hunting and unlawful possession of wildlife parts.

Mazlan said stern action would continue to be taken against anyone involved in wildlife-related offences and urged the public to continue channelling information to the authorities to ensure the country’s wildlife heritage remains protected. — Bernama