Marine Police personnel show the turtle eggs seized from the suspect.
KUCHING: Marine Police apprehended a 37-year-old local woman on Thursday after she was found to be in possession of 1,000 turtle eggs at a premises in Sematan.
Marine police spokesman ACP Salehuddin Mat Zaman said in a statement yesterday that the seized turtle eggs – valued at RM2,000 – are likely to have been for the local market.
“The case is being investigated under the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998 and has been handed over to the Sarawak Forestry Corporation for further action,” he said in the statement.
The woman could face a maximum fine of RM50,000 or a maximum five-year jail sentence.The raid on Thursday was conducted under Ops Landai and led by ASP Pangji Eseng with six personnel from the Marine Undercover Unit.
They found 280 eggs under a table, while another 720 eggs were kept in a fridge inside the premises. The suspect failed to produce any licence or document allowing her to be in possession of the eggs.
Members of the public with any information of similar activities, especially in coastal areas, can call the Marine Police headquarters on 082-334111.