TAWAU: An 86-year-old man was detained after enforcement officers allegedly discovered protected wildlife parts, both frozen and live, during a raid on a house in Kampung Kalumpang along Jalan Tawau-Semporna on Thursday.
Sabah Wildlife Department Director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar said initial investigations indicated the local suspect was believed to be involved in the illegal sale of protected wildlife to tourists in Semporna.
He said officers found a freezer containing protected wildlife parts, including venison, barking deer meat and porcupine meat.
A live pangolin and a monkey were also seized during the operation carried out by the Wildlife Crime Bureau, the Sabah Wildlife Department and the General Operations Force Battalion 22 from Kunak.
The suspect was detained to assist investigations under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 for allegedly possessing wildlife and wildlife products without valid documents or permits.
