Turtle Egg Smuggler Fined $3,000
By Malai FadleyRizal & Rol Ezam

Bandar Seri Begawan - A Malaysian national was fined B$3,000 for bringing in turtle eggs into the country.

Ak Yusop Pg Hj Haron, 36, was first charged with knowingly concealing uncustomed goods, namely 1,983 eggs of Green Turtle (Chelonia myda), in his car at the Kuala Lurah Control Post on September 24, an offence under the Customs Act.

The second charge stated that the defendant had in his possession 1,983 eggs of Green Turtle - "trophies" of a protected animal - while not being a holder of a licence issued under Section 10 of the Wildlife Protection Act, Chapter 102.

An importer of salted fish and dried prawns into Brunei, the defendant, who frequently enters the country, was stopped by Customs Preventive Officers at the Kuala Lurah Control Post on arrival at around noon, September 24, according to DPP Shamshuddin Hj Kamaluddin in court yesterday.

The defendant said he only brought some salted fish and fruits when asked during the inspection. However, a thorough search by the personnel resulted in the discovery of the turtle eggs.

All the eggs were packed in such away that the contents could not be seen from outside and were kept in various places in the defendant's car.

Furthermore, investigations revealed that the defendant had purchased the eggs at a market in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah on September 22 with the intention of selling them here.

According to evaluations from the Fisheries Department, the black market price in Brunei is B$10 for 15 eggs (about $0.67 each).

The defendant's car was returned but the turtle eggs have been destroyed.

The Law states that Green Turtle (Chelonia myda) is a protected animal as specified in the First Schedule of the Wild Life Protection Act.

Under Section 2 of the Wild Life Protection Act, "trophy" means the head, horn, tooth, tusk, bore, claw, hoof, skin, hair, feather, egg or any durable portion of any animal or the nest of any animal. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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