21-07-2025
Crude palm oil, fighting cocks worth over RM3.9mil seized in Sabah
An area in Tawau where fighting cocks believed to be from the Philippines were kept. (PDRM pic)
KUALA LUMPUR : The wildlife crime bureau/special intelligence investigation division of the Bukit Aman internal security and public order department seized illegal items worth RM3.9 million in two integrated operations in Lahad Datu and Tawau in Sabah last Thursday and Friday.
Its director, Azmi Abu Kassim said in the first operation in Lahad Datu at 7pm on Thursday, carried out with enforcement officers from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board, they raided a store at a palm oil plantation and arrested four men aged between 20 and 31.
'We seized a lorry head with a tanker containing 30,000 litres of crude palm oil, a van, three motorised oil pumps with hoses and tanks, as well as drums filled with crude palm oil.
'The total amount of crude palm oil seized is estimated to weigh 30,148 tonnes, with a market value of RM152,090, and the overall value of the seizure in this operation is estimated at RM645,890,' he said in a statement.
The case is being investigated under Regulation 5(1)(b) of the MPOB (Licensing) Regulations 2005. Police also issued five summonses for vehicle-related offences such as expired road tax, lack of insurance coverage, and driving without a licence.
In the second operation in Tawau at 2.30pm on Friday, police seized 622 fighting cocks and arrested three men, including two foreign men from Indonesia and the Philippines, all in their 50s.
'At the first location in Kampung Apas Parit, police seized 470 fighting cocks believed to be from the Philippines, 40 rooster spur knives, 180 units of vitamins, and 500 chicken cages.
'At the second location in Kampung Membalua Off Jalan Apas, a 57-year-old man was detained along with 152 fighting cocks. The total estimated value of the seizures at both locations was RM3,287,708,' Azmi said.
Those arrested are being investigated under Section 15(1) of the Animal Welfare Enactment 2015, Sections 55B, 39B & 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, and Section 6 of the Dangerous Weapons Act 1958.
