Crocs alive! 220 crocodiles about to be smuggled from Sabah

ESSCom carried out surveillance around the area and was instrumental in providing vital information that led to the successful operation. (Reuters pic)

TAWAU: The Sabah Wildlife Department and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom) busted an attempt by four men to smuggle 220 crocodiles out of the Kampung Pasir Putih swamp forest near here today.

Tawau Wildlife director Sailun Aris said two Malaysian and two Indonesian men, aged between 55 and 61, were detained at 10.30am.

They were found with 215 live and five dead crocodiles that were to be transported in an Indonesian boat.

“The investigations are ongoing and there is a possibility that it is the work of a syndicate,” he told reporters here.

Sailun said ESSCom carried out surveillance around the area and was instrumental in providing vital information that led to the successful operation. - FMT