Kuala krai: Eight Myanmar nationals, including two women, were arrested in a joint police-Perhilitan operation against illegal hunting and wildlife offences at a 24-hectare durian plantation in Kampung Mia, Kuala Krai, today. Kuala Krai district police chief Supt Mazlan Mamat said that acting on a public tip-off, police and the Wildlife and National Parks Department jointly conducted the Op Bersepadu/Op Khazanah from midnight until 6 am. Authorities also found a baby boy and a baby girl with the group.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, an air rifle and two spears, believed to have been used for illegal hunting, were seized during the operation. Inspections also uncovered six suspected wildlife claws, 12 suspected wildlife fangs, seven suspected wildlife bones, six suspected wildlife body parts, as well as a container filled with meat believed to be from wildlife.

The case is being investigated under Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, Section 8(a) of the Arms Act 1960, Section 7(1) of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1958, and the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716).

Mazlan said the success of the operation demonstrated the effectiveness of the strategic cooperation between police and Perhilitan, as well as the importance of information provided by the public in efforts to combat illegal hunting and the unlawful possession of wildlife parts. He emphasized that stern action would continue to be taken against anyone involved in wildlife-related offences and urged the public to keep channelling information to the authorities to ensure the country's wildlife heritage remains protected.