A 40-year-old Malaysian man was arrested by the Malaysian authorities in Johor Bahru, Johor, on Friday (2 January) for being in possession of four saltwater crocodile hatchlings, a wildlife species protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.
The arrest was part of Ops Bersepadu Khazanah (OBK), an integrated operation conducted by the Bukit Aman Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) Intelligence Unit and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan).
A 40-year-old Malaysian man was arrested for keeping four saltwater crocodiles without a valid permit
The raid was carried out based on public information, and the saltwater crocodiles were found inside a polystrene box during an inspection of the car driven by the suspect. The four Crocodylus porosus hatchlings are estimated to be worth RM240,000.
The suspect
Harian Metro quoted FRU Commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Rosli Md Yusof as stating, “Further inspection revealed that the animals were being kept without any valid permit or authorisation from the relevant authorities.”
He added that further investigations are being conducted to identify the source and the suspect’s purpose for keeping the wild animals.
The case is being investigated under Section 68 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 for keeping wildlife without a special permit.
Meanwhile, Buletin TV3 reported that the total value of the seizure is estimated at RM285,000, comprising RM240,000 for the four crocodiles and RM45,000 for the suspect’s vehicle.
The suspect has since been released on police bail while Johor Perhilitan completes the investigation paper.
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