8 protected macaws seized, 2 men arrested in Kelantan
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2026-07-07,TUMPAT
Two best friends were arrested after they were found transporting eight smuggled macaws worth RM400,000 in an operation along Jalan Bandar Tumpat yesterday.
General Operations Force Southeast Brigade commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the two local men, aged 28 and 31, were detained by the GOF's Ninth Battalion team at about 6.30pm.
"The team was conducting patrols in the area when it spotted a suspected Proton Waja at about 6.30pm and ordered its driver to stop the vehicle for inspection.
"Checks on the vehicle led to the discovery of four cages containing eight macaws placed on the rear seats and in the boot.
"Further inspection found that both suspects had failed to produce any valid documents or permits for the possession and transportation of the protected birds," he said.
He added that initial investigations revealed that one of the suspects admitted collecting the birds from Kampung Kelaboran and was promised RM400 to deliver the four cages containing the parrots.
"The birds were believed to have been sent to Kota Baru Bus Terminal before being transported to Johor," he added.
He added that the suspects and the seizure were handed over to the Kelantan Wildlife Department for further action.
The case is being investigated under Section 60(1)(a) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 for possessing and transporting protected wildlife without valid permits.