Malaysia: Sandakan Marine cops seize 7k turtle eggs worth RM13k

stephanie lee The Star 23 Jul 19;

KOTA KINABALU: Marine police in Sandakan seized some 7,000 turtle eggs from a pump boat near the Sungai Batu 2 river on early Monday (July 22).

Sabah Marine police commander Asst Comm Mohamad Pajeri Ali said the eggs, worth about RM12,600, were seized at about 2.30am.

“We believe these eggs were smuggled in from the Philippines and are meant to be sold to the local market in Sandakan and its surrounding areas,” he said in a statement.

ACP Pajeri said prior to the seizure, marine police were conducting patrols in the area and they saw a suspicious looking green and blue pump boat with two men on board.

As they approached, the two men started their boat and sped off, but were stuck when they neared the shallow waters near a mangrove area.

“The suspects jumped into the river and fled,” he said, adding they believe the pump boat was also from the Philippines.

He said the eggs were later found inside the boat.

“We will be handing the eggs over to the Sandakan Wildlife Department after documentation,” he said.

He urged those with information of the escaped suspects to report to their nearest police stations.