SEMPORNA: Sacks of butchered green turtle carcasses and its cooked meat were found off Bum Bum island here at 6am today.
Sabah General Operations Force (PGA) Brigade Commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Abdul Rani Alias said the carcasses of 11 turtles were discovered during the integrated Op Khazanah.
The operation was jointly held with the Sabah Wildlife Department and the Forestry Department.
He said along with the carcasses, a hook believed to be used to catch turtles was also recovered.
"We also found two sacks containing cooked turtle, turtle carcasses and cooking utensils.
"Inspections around the location did not find any suspects believed to be involved in the activity," he said when contacted today.
Rani said all the findings including cooking utensils were confiscated before being taken to the Semporna district police headquarters for further action.
He added the total value of the seizure was estimated at RM8,200 based on the current market price.
"Further investigations are being carried out under Section 41 (1) of the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997," he said.