Poliana Ronnie Sidom New Straits Times 15 Jul 18;
SANDAKAN: Marine police foiled an attempt to smuggle 2,850 turtle eggs in waters off Kampung Forest here this morning.
A patrol unit taking part in Op Pensura intercepted a pump boat, which appeared to be coming from the direction of the Philippines, at 3.30am.
The vessel tried to flee but got stuck in an area of shallow water.
Sabah marine police region 4 commander Assistant Commissioner Mohd Yazib Abd Aziz said the skipper jumped into the sea and disappeared.
“We found five gunny sacks of turtle eggs worth RM5,130 believed to be smuggled from a neighbouring country.
“The enforcement officers seized a wooden boat and a 13-horse power engine,” he said, adding that the seized items had been taken to the marine police base here for further investigation under the Conservation Wildlife Enactment 1997.
Marine police seize RM5k worth of turtle eggs being smuggled into Sandakan, Sabah
muguntan vanar The Star 15 Jul 18;
KOTA KINABALU: Marine police seized 2,850 turtle eggs being smuggled into Sandakan on Sabah’s east coast from the neighbouring islands of the southern Philippines.
However, the suspected smuggler managed to dive into the sea and flee under cover of darkness while marine police personnel gave chase in waters off Kg Forest near Sandakan at about 3.30am Sunday (July 15).
Marine Police Region 4 commander Asst Comm Mohd Yazib Abd Aziz said the eggs from endangered turtles were found inside five gunny bags inside the 15 horsepower pump boat abandoned by the smuggler.
Each turtle egg can be sold for RM1.80 in the illegal market, he said, adding that the total value of the eggs was about RM5,130.
ACP Yazib said they also seized the wooden boat worth about RM1,000 and the 15hp boat engine worth RM850.
The case has been referred to the State Wildlife Department for further action under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1997.
“We believe the turtle eggs were being smuggled in from the neighbouring country to be sold locally,” ACP Yazib said.
