Smuggler abandons rare parrots at illegal jetty to evade GOF

 

Two Ringneck parrots believed to have been smuggled from Thailand were found abandoned at an illegal jetty in Pengkalan Kubor after a suspected trafficker fled across the Golok River. – Source: General Operations Force

TUMPAT: Two parrots believed to have been smuggled from Thailand were abandoned at an illegal jetty in Pengkalan Kubor here after a suspected trafficker fled upon spotting General Operations Force (GOF) personnel today.

The two Ringneck parrots, valued at RM3,000, were discovered during a routine patrol in the area.

GOF Southeast Brigade commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Ahmad Radzi Hussain said no arrests were made as the suspect escaped across the Golok River.

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"The GOF personnel were conducting patrols under Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan at Pengkalan Haram Tanjung when they spotted a man unloading a green box onto the Malaysian riverbank around 3.30pm.

"Upon seeing our personnel, the man immediately jumped into a boat and fled to the Thai side of the river.

"After inspecting the box, they found two Ringneck parrots believed to have been smuggled into the country from Thailand without valid permits," he said.

Ahmad Radzi said GOF personnel also seized two pink bird cages and a green box.

He said the birds were believed to have been brought into Malaysia without valid permits and were intended for sale to local buyers.

The total value of the seizure was estimated at RM3,100, comprising RM3,000 for the parrots and RM100 for the cages.

The case is being investigated under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716).

All seized items have been handed over to the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) for further action and investigation, he added. - NST