Teen suspect arrested in Kota Bharu raid as authorities seize RM20,000 red eagle, owls and musang pandan

KOTA BHARU, June 29 — A red eagle, worth RM20,000, was among the animals seized in a raid carried out by the General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade, together with the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) in Kampung Bunohan, Tumpat yesterday.

GOF Southeast Brigade Commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said in the raid at 3.15pm, his party also arrested an 18-year-old man and seized several protected wildlife and cages worth a total of RM48,500.

“A raid at the house found a red eagle, four ruak-ruak birds (also known as the White-breasted Waterhen), a burung hantu carik kafan (short-eared owl), two musang pandan (giant flying foxes) as well as five cages.

“The inspection found that the suspect failed to produce any valid licence or permit to keep the protected wildlife before being detained for further action,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Ahmad Radzi said the arrest and all the seized items had been handed over to the Kelantan Perhilitan for investigation under Section 60 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716).

He said initial investigations found that the suspect claimed that the wildlife belonged to his father who is currently in Gua Musang, while the suspect was only responsible for looking after the animals. — Bernama