Three men were arrested after they were suspected of possessing two palm civet cubs without a valid licence during Op Taring Wawasan at a roadblock in Lalang Pepuyu, Tanah Merah, late last night.
Southeast Brigade General Operations Force (GOF) commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the suspects, aged between 21 and 26, were detained at about 11.15pm after officers inspected a Perodua Axia they were travelling in.
He said a cage containing two palm civet cubs was discovered in the rear passenger footwell of the vehicle during the inspection.
“The driver failed to produce any documents or a valid licence to possess the wildlife before all three suspects were detained for further action,” he said in a statement today.
Police also seized the Perodua Axia and the animal cage, with the total value of the seized items, including the two palm civet cubs, estimated at RM26,700.
Ahmad Radzi said initial investigations found that the main suspect admitted purchasing the animals in Kubang Kerian for RM50 each from an individual he contacted through WhatsApp.
He added that the vehicle used during the incident was registered under the suspect’s sister’s name and was believed to have been borrowed with her knowledge.
The case is being investigated under Section 60(1)(a) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716).
The three suspects and all seized items have been handed over to the Kelantan Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) for further investigation.
