TAWAU: Four people have been arrested by police in connection with the the brutal killing of the Bornean elephant at Sungai Udin here last week.

It is understood that police seized a shotgun and bullets from the suspects during a raid at house in connection with the attack against the bull elephant, according to The Star Online.

It was learned that police and Sabah Wildlife Department rangers carried out the raid at the house under Ops Bersapadu Khazanah.

When contacted Tawau district police chief Asst Comm Peter Umbuas confirmed some arrests in connection with the elephant case but declined further comment until a press conference later today afternoon (Wednesday).

It was learned that four people detained included three locals and a foreigner and the weapons were found concealed inside the house.

On Tuesday, ACP Umbuas hinted to the media that the suspect was under police radar.

He said that police were investigating the case under the Firearms Act while wildlife was investigation under the state’s conservation of enactments.

On Sept 25, members of the public spotted the dead elephant at Sungai Udin in the Kalabakan area of Tawau. Pictures of it went viral on the social media triggering an immediate investigations.

Wildlife Department together with UK based Orangutan Appeal and an anonymous donor offered a total RM30,000 for the information leading the capture and prosecution of the poachers.

The elephant was shot at least 70 times all over its body before it died.

The gruesome method of killing has sparked an outrage among not only conservationists but also ordinary Malaysians.

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