KUCHING: The General Operations Force (GOF) raided a house at Jalan Black Smith, Lundu, on Thursday and seized 2,638 pieces of dead corals valued at RM127,750.
Sarawak Brigade Commander Datuk Khaw Lok Chin said a 56-year-old man was detained to facilitate investigations into the seizure.
Khaw said the raid ‘Op Bersepadu Khazanah’, was jointly carried out by nine GOF personnel, three Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers and two officers from Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC).
The raiding party searched a double-storey house and found the corals of various sizes on the upper floor of the house.
“A man was detained after failing to produce valid documentations and permit to own the wildlife.
“The man and seized items were handed over to SFC Kuching division for further action and investigation under Section 29(2) Sarawak Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, a 49-year-old man was detained for illegal possession of 46 protected birds estimated to be worth RM27,150 during an integrated operation conducted at a house in Kampung Semeba here at around 10am on Thursday.
The birds of various species were seized and handed over to SFC for further action. The case is being investigated under Section 29(2) of Sarawak Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998.
