NEW STRAITS TIMES (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) 03 November 08 Marine Police busts attempt to smuggle 10,000 turtle eggs into Sabah
Sandakan (Bernama): The marine police cracked their biggest case involving turtle egg smuggling in Sabah, with the seizure of 10,000 eggs smuggled from the Philippines.
Four smugglers were unloading the eggs, worth about RM28,000, from a speed boat at the Kampung Forest beach area last night when a team of policemen arrived at the scene.
Unknown to the four, the policemen had mounted an operation to nab them.
On seeing the policemen, the smugglers panicked and escaped in the boat, leaving behind 20 sacks containing the turtle eggs on the beach.
The incident occured at 8.15pm.
Acting Sandakan marine police chief ASP Muhammad Sallam Spawi has described the seizure as the biggest this year.
He said this followed increased operations to eradicate smuggling of the eggs and prevent its illegal sale in the district.
“Initial investigations have revealed that a syndicate obtained the eggs from several islands in the Philippines.
“While the syndicate is masterminded by foreigners, the locals sell the eggs in Bandar Sandakan for as much as RM2.80 per piece,” Muhammad Sallam told a press conference today.
Marine Police busts attempt to smuggle 10,000 turtle eggs into Sabah