Operation CLAW: Local Man Nabbed for Selling Protected Wildlife Parts

12 March 2026

TUARAN: Sabah Wildlife Department detained a 30-year-old local man for allegedly selling protected wildlife parts at a stall in Tenghilan Market here.

The arrest occurred during Operation CLAW, an enforcement raid by the department's Rapid Response Team (RRT) at 8:05am, acting on intelligence about illegal wildlife trade in the area.

Authorities seized two Malayan sun bear claws, one sun bear paw section, one sun bear tooth, one pangolin scale, one barking deer antler, and 16 porcupine quills, all displayed for illegal sale.

Under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1997 (WCA 1997), trading protected species like Malayan sun bears and pangolins requires a licence, which had not been issued as both are Fully Protected.

Offenders face fines from RM50,000 to RM250,000 and imprisonment of one to five years upon conviction.

The suspect remains in custody for further investigation.