Marine police seize RM5k worth of turtle eggs being smuggled into Sandakan, Sabah

A marine police officer with some of the 2,850 smuggled turtle eggs seized on July 15.

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.