Kota Tinggi police chief Ahsmon Bajah said all the suspects, aged between 31 and 39, were arrested after police raided two houses in Bandar Penawar and Felda Gugusan Adela at around 8 pm.

“The modus operandi of the group was to enter swiftly-farm premises that do not have additional security systems installed and steal the edible bird’s nests. The bird’s nests are later sold on the black market around the state,” he said today.

Edible bird’s nests are prized as a delicacy and as a traditional Chinese medicine, with claims of health benefits such as immunity boosting and anti-ageing properties.

Police also seized a homemade shotgun hidden under a bed, housebreaking equipment, and a Perodua Myvi believed to have been used to commit the thefts.

According to Ahsmon, investigations showed two of the suspects had previous criminal records. Police believe the arrest of the five suspects solves the case of the thefts of five bird’s nests worth RM25,000.

All suspects have been remanded for a week beginning today.