TAWAU (Bernama): Five local men were arrested during a four-day joint operation by various agencies, including non-governmental organisations, held to tackle forest-related crimes in the district, that ended yesterday. In a statement Wednesday (Dec 25), Sabah Chief Conservator of Forests Datuk Mashor Jaini said all suspects, aged between 27 and 47, were arrested for various offences during the operations that covered Kalabakan Forest Reserve, Maliau Basin forest, Sapulut Forest Reserve, Mount Rara Forest Reserve, Kuamut River and oil palm estates. The other suspect was arrested in an oil palm estate for having 47 pieces of feathers, believed to be that of Rhinocerous Hornbill, without a permit, he said. According to Mashor, the authorities also seized a wild boar carcass along with a plastic bag containing wild boar internal organs and a sharp iron rod, suspected for use in hunting. He said the joint operation, known as the Integrated Taskforce Ops, would be held from time to time to tackle illegal forest activities, including poaching and the use of illegal firearms in hunting activity.

Source: thestar December 25, 2019 11:03 UTC