KOTA KINABALU: Turtle organs were seized from a village in Semporna district during a raid on Tuesday (March 29) morning.

       The organs comprising 25 pieces of turtle marginal shells and 13 pieces of turtle plastrons, as well as items such as a pump boat, an axe, a hammer and a butcher knife were confiscated in the 10am raid at Kg Bangau-Bangau.

       Semporna marine police commanding officer Deputy Supt Mohamad Ismail said a 31-year-old man was also nabbed during the operation.

       “Our raid was conducted following a tip-off and our men had gone to investigate a boat that was tied to a house,” he said when contacted.

       He said in the boat, they found the organs worth about RM6,500 and other items. The total confiscation value was about RM11,565.

       DSP Mohamad said the man was being held to facilitate investigations.

       He said the Wildlife Department (Perhilitan) officials would be taking over the case under Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997 for illegal possession of wildlife or their parts thereof.

       Turtles are a protected species in Sabah, but there are quite a number of communities, especially those living in coastal areas, who consume their meat.