Trio charged with possession of turtle eggs

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Three accused outside the Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

SANDAKAN: Three men were charged at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with possessing turtle eggs.

Alkubar Hamjian, 33, Abdul Rahman Ebnul, 34, and Abdul Rasah were charged under Section 41 (1) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 which carries fines of RM5,000 and RM25,000 and a jail term of one to five years.

The accused were arrested on August 7 near Jalan Pryer and Wisma Khoo bus stop here during an operation by the marine police, Wildlife Department and Sandakan Municipal Council.

Alkubar was arrested with 83 turtle eggs, while Abdul Rahman Ebdul and Abdul Rasah were caught with 130 and 23 turtle eggs respectively.

All the accused did not have identification document and document to allow them to legally possess turtle eggs.

Turtle eggs are product of Green Turtle Species (Chelonia mydas) that are fully protected under Schedule 1, Part 1 of Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997.

Magistrate Suhaila Selag fixed August 21 for remention the case at the Magistrate’s Court.