KUALA LUMPUR, June 11 -- A foreign man has reportedly been sentenced to 18 months' jail and fined RM50,000 after pleading guilty to possessing 490 turtle eggs from fully protected species in Sabah.

According to Sinar Harian, the accused, Manan Saibung, who had no identification documents, admitted to the charge before Sessions Court Judge Roslinda Razali in Sandakan on Thursday.

He was reportedly found with eggs from the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) species without valid permission.

The offence was said to have taken place at about 5.50pm on June 7 by the roadside in front of a premises in Sandakan.

Both species are listed as fully protected wildlife under the Wildlife Conservation Enactm...