Malaysian authorities have seized protected wildlife parts worth an estimated RM36.8 million in what is believed to be the largest haul of its kind, following a raid in Johor Bahru.
The operation was carried out by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan) at a premises in Taman Johor Jaya on Tuesday night, where officers uncovered a large stockpile of animal parts allegedly prepared for illegal trade.
Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said enforcement officers conducted the raid at about 9.50pm and discovered items believed to be intended for the black market. He described the case as evidence that wildlife crime remains active and increasingly bold.
Among the seized items were 602 python gall bladders, 420 bear gall bladders, as well as multiple compressed pieces suspected to be from protected species including tigers and primates. Authorities also recovered 191 python body parts and mobile phones believed to have been used in illegal transactions.
A Vietnamese man was arrested at the scene and taken to the Johor Perhilitan office to assist with investigations. Officials said the suspect is being probed under the Wildlife Conservation (Amendment) Act 2022, which carries penalties of up to RM1 million in fines or 15 years’ imprisonment for offences involving wildlife trafficking and possession of protected species.
Authorities added that investigations are ongoing to dismantle a wider suspected international smuggling network. They also stressed that such illegal activities not only violate the law but pose a serious threat to biodiversity and ecological balance.
