Maritime police seize RM5k turtle eggs smuggled to Sandakan, Sabah – Nation

KOTA KINABALU: Maritime police seized 2,850 turtle eggs smuggled to Sandakan on the east coast of Sabah from nearby islands in the southern Philippines

However, the suspect smuggler managed to dive in the dark. Maritime police personnel hunted in the waters off Kg Forest near Sandakan around 3:30 am on Sunday (July 15th).

Commander Mohd Yazib Abd Aziz from Area 4 of the Marine Police, the endangered turtle eggs were found in five jounal bags inside the 15 horsepower pumper boat abandoned by the smuggler

On the illegal market, he added that the total value of the eggs was about RM 5 130.

ACP Yazib said he also seized the wooden boat worth 1,000 RM and the engine of 15 hp worth 850 RM. The case was referred to the State Wildlife Department for further actions under the Wildlife Conservation Act of 1997.

"We believe that turtle eggs were smuggled from the neighboring country for sale locally ", said ACP Yazib.