KUALA LUMPUR: Two men were arrested in a major bust by the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) for smuggling and selling protected animals online.
The first arrest was made on Oct 22 in Kuala Lipis, Pahang where a man was found in possession of a one-month old sun bear.
Perhilitan director-general Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said, the department had been following the man's activity through Facebook closely.
"He posted an advertisement on his Facebook looking to sell the sun bear.
"He said he smuggled the sun bear from Thailand but we are still investigating his claim," he said, adding that the man is now being remanded to assist the department with its investigation under Section 69(1) of the Wildlife Protection Act 2010z
The offense carries a jail term up to 10 years and a maximum fine of RM200,000 upon conviction.
Meanwhile, during a raid at a premise in Ampang on Oct 21, seven leopard cats were found and a man was also arrested.
"Five of the leopard cats have no special permit. The other two have special permits but the placement address was different from the premise's address where we found the cats."
This case is being investigated under Section 46 and Section 68(1) of the same Act which carries a jail term up to one year or RM20,000 fine and a jail term up to three years or RM100,000, respectively.
According to Abdul Kadir, the sun bear was expected to be sold about RM2,000 while the cats were expected to be sold between RM2,500 to RM3,000 each.