KUALA TERENGGANU: Three men face the prospects of spending five years in jail and a fine of RM500,000 for possessing a tiger carcass at their house in Kemaman on Wednesday.
They are being investigated under Section 68(2)(c) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010, after being detained by State Wildlife and National Parks Department rangers.
The rangers from the department's headquarters here mounted an ambush following a tip-off from the public and waited for three days before making their move.
"The rangers targetted a house in Pasir Semut in Kemaman. When the house was raided at 6.30pm, they found a tiger carcass hidden in the toilet and three men in the house," said State Wildlife and National Parks director Mohd Hasdi Hussin.
Hasdi said the tiger, weighing about 150 kilogram, was trapped before it was shot in the head and had its organs removed and separated into four parts.
"We believe the age of the tiger is about 20 years. We suspect a syndicate is involved and the carcass is waiting for buyers from a neighbouring country," he added.
Tiger or Panthera tigris is an endangered and a protected species.
Hasdi said the three men aged between 50 and 60 years were detained at the Kemaman police station.