Bukit Aman Federal Reserve Unit (FRU), in a Facebook post, said this was the result of a joint operation with the Johor wildlife and national parks department (Perhilitan).

It was initiated based on a public tip-off, Bernama reported.

FRU commander Rosli Yusof said the dead tiger and several other items were found in a Perodua Alza they inspected.

He said tigers are a national treasure and police would not allow them to be harmed by human greed.

“We are determined to eliminate illegal poaching and ensure the preservation of nature for future generations,” he said.

Police confiscated the tiger’s carcass, the car and four mobile phones, with an estimated total value of RM294,000.

Police believe the tiger had sustained severe injuries, believed to be from a trap.

It also had six gunshot wounds to the head.

The suspects, aged between 28 and 49, have been remanded to assist in further investigations under Section 70 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716) for possessing wildlife without a special permit.

Johor Perhilitan director Aminuddin Jamin, when contacted, said further investigations are ongoing.