KUALA LUMPUR: A wildlife smuggling ring was busted with the seizure of 39 baby Malayan Gharial crocodiles and 14 Indian Eyed turtles.
A foreign man was also detained in the city during the operation by Bukit Aman's Internal Security and Public Order Department (KDNKA) Wildlife Crime Bureau (WCB) on Tuesday (Sept 17).
Bukit Aman KDNKA acting director Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said the seized animals were worth RM1.8mil.
"We believe the animals were smuggled into the country via flights from a South Asian country.
"The wildlife is extremely valuable in the black market.
"Each baby Malayan Gharial could be sold for RM60,000 while the Indian Eyed turtles could be sold for RM1,350 each," he said in a statement on Wednesday,(Sept 18).
Initial investigation revealed that the animals were smuggled into the country before they would be transported to another country, he said.
"We believe the syndicate used Malaysia as transit," he said.
Between Jan 1 and Sept 17, the WCB conducted 134 raids and detained 384 individuals for various offences, DCP Mohd Yusoff said.
"The WCB also seized some RM420mil worth of items and wildlife during the same period," he said.
DCP Mohd Yusoff said the police are committed to conduct such operations in the future to curb offences, especially smuggling.
"We urge those with information to contact the WCB via email at wcbpsk_rmp.gov.my," he said.
