KOTA BARU: A government servant was detained by the Kelantan police last night for possessing illegal animal products.
The 52-year old, who was arrested in the state under “Ops Khazanah”, was picked up at his home in Kampung Bunut Perol near Nilam Puri about midnight.
Kelantan police chief Datuk Hasanuddin Hassan said a police party from the district's criminal investigation division raided the house based on a tip-off.
“During the raid, police discovered three tiger skins and two tiger claws.
“We cannot provide further details on the case as it is still under investigation. We are looking into, among others, the motive and the source of the items seized.
“However, police believe the items were taken from a carcass of a tiger and it is possible that it was for his personal use,” he told reporters, here, today.
Hasanudin said two more men were also detained last month in two separate raids.
“The state police have detained two locals in Tumpat and Pasir Mas on separate raids on Oct 26 for possessing illicit wildlife items including elephant tusks.”
Hasanuddin said police would continue to track down those involved in the illegal activity.
He said those arrested were still being held for further investigation and the case is being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.
Police recently launched Ops Khazanah to nab those involved in supplying products of endangered species.