Kedah Wildlife Department director Muhammad Ali Che Aman said the seizure was made following a tip-off received by the police on a premises used to store the pangolins before they were sold.

“A team of seven policemen and four wildlife department staff carried out the raid and found the pangolins, a protected species under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716).

In the raid, the man who was renting the house, was not at home. Its owner was then called to give a statement for further investigation,” he said in a statement today.

According to Ali, the case is being investigated under Section 68(2)(a) which provides for a fine of between RM50,000 and RM100,000, or a jail term of up to three years, or both, if convicted.

Meanwhile, Kota Setar police chief ACP Mohd Rozi Jidin said baskets, nets and trollies believed to be connected to the case, were also seized.