Couple caught red-handed trying to sell pangolin in carpark

KOTA KINABALU: A man and a woman have been caught red-handed trying to illegally sell pangolins in Donggonggon, Penampang near here Saturday.

The two suspects, both aged 42, were nabbed while trying to sell the pangolin to a customer at a carpark at about 1pm.

The two suspects were believed to have advertised about their "business" via social media.

Acting on a tip-off from the public, an enforcement team from the Sabah Wildlife Department, assisted by members of Wildlife Rescue Unit (appointed Honorary Wildlife Warden) was dispatched to the location where the transaction was supposed to take place.

The pangolin was found in a plastic sack placed at the back seat of the woman's Proton Persona car.

They were trying to sell the pangolin at RM220 per kilogram. The live pangolin weighs 4kg.

The duo will be investigated under Section 41(2) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 for illegal possession of a protected species.

The penalty for illegal possession of pangolin is a fine of a minimum of not less than RM30,000 but not exceeding RM100,000 or jail of not less than one year but not exceeding three years, or both, if convicted.

This is the second arrest following an earlier one on Oct 26 where two men aged 25 and 27 from Papar were arrested for illegal possession of a live pangolin.