Kuala lumpur: Three men were arrested for allegedly possessing two Asian palm civet cubs without a valid licence during Ops Taring Wawasan at the Lalang Pepuyu roadblock in Tanah Merah late last night. General Operations Force (GOF) Southeast Brigade commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain stated that the suspects, aged between 21 and 26, were detained at 11.15 pm after the Perodua Axia they were travelling in was stopped for inspection. A search of the vehicle uncovered a cage containing two Asian palm civet cubs in the rear passenger footwell.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the driver failed to produce any valid documents or licence authorising the possession of the wildlife. Preliminary investigations revealed that the main suspect admitted to purchasing the two Asian palm civet cubs in Kubang Kerian for RM50 each from an individual he had contacted through WhatsApp.

The authorities also seized the Perodua Axia, an animal cage, and the two Asian palm civet cubs, bringing the total value of the seizure to an estimated RM26,700. Ahmad Radzi noted that the suspects and the Asian palm civet cubs had been handed over to the Kelantan Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) for further action.