SIBU: The Sibu Marine Police have arrested four individuals for possessing swiftlet nests worth over RM130,000 in a joint operation with Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) Sibu recently.

Acting on public information, a team comprising two from the Marine Police and 10 SFC enforcement personnel raided a house near Blacksmith Road.

Region 5 Marine Police commander ACP Zulfikar Mohd Ghazali said the team carrying out ‘Ops Khazanah’, detained four locals — a man and three women aged between 28 and 41, for inspections.

The team found about 44.94kg of swiftlet nests inside the house and these nests valued at RM134,895, are protected under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998.

“In the same operation, the team also raided a premises at Lorong Permai Barat suspected to be operating a bird’s nest house without a permit or license from the Controller of Wildlife.

“From the raids, two local men aged 33 and 59 years old were arrested after failing to provide the required documents,” he said.

All the suspects and swiftlet nest seizures were brought to the Sibu police headquarters (IPD) and the SFC Sibu office at Wisma Sanyan for further action.

Zulfikar pointed out that similar operation will continue to be implemented from time to time in enforcing the laws under the Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1998.