Tawau cockfighting ring fried in joint police operation
The operation followed two separate raids in Tawau, with total seizures amounting to RM3.28mil.
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department director Comm Datuk Seri Azmi Abu Kassim (pic) said 622 fighting cocks were seized and five suspects, including four foreigners, were arrested.
Led by the department's Wildlife Crime Bureau/Special Investigation Intelligence squad, the raid, he said, was carried out at 2.30pm under the Integrated Khazanah Operation in Kampung Apas Parit and Kampung Membalua.
Also involved in the joint operation were Tawau police, Tawau's Battalion 14 of the General Operations Force and enforcement personnel from the district Veterinary Services Department.
In a statement, Comm Azmi said the first raid led to the arrest of two Indonesians and two Filipinos aged between 31 and 52.
He said 470 fighting cocks were found, along with 40 cockfighting blades, 180 containers of vitamins and 500 specially-designed cages used for the birds.
He said the second raid resulted in the arrest of a 57-year-old local man, along with the seizure of 152 fighting cocks also believed to have been imported illegally.
Comm Azmi said all five suspects were being investigated under Section 15(1) of the Animal Enactment 2015 for possession of the fighting cocks without a permit.
He said the foreign nationals were also being probed under the Immigration Act 1959/63 for not having valid travel documents and work permits.
They are also being investigated under Section 6 of the Dangerous Weapons Act 1958 for possession of sharp blades believed to be used for cockfighting purposes.
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