GOF foils bid to smuggle exotic birds from Thailand, seizes parrots worth RM100,000

“KOTA BHARU, June 3 — Four exotic birds worth approximately RM100,000, believed to have been smuggled from Thailand, were seized by the General Operations Force (GOF) in an operation near the illegal Kak Nah jetty in Pengkalan Kubor, Tumpat, yesterday. GOF Southeast Brigade Commander SAC Ahmad Radzi Hussain said the seizure was carried out under Op Taring Wawasan Kelantan at about 7 pm after a Strike Force team detected a man unloading several cages on the Malaysian side of Sungai Golok. He said the suspect fled by boat towards the Thai riverbank upon realising the presence of GOF personnel. “Inspection of the abandoned cages found two Blue-and-Gold Macaws and two Blue-fronted Amazon parrots, believed to have been brought in without valid permits. “Also seized were two cages used to transport the birds, bringing the total value of the seizure to an estimated RM100,200,” he said in a statement today. According to Ahmad Radzi, the case has been handed over to the Kelantan Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) for further investigation and action under the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010 (Act 716). He said the exotic birds are believed to be intended for local buyers, adding that patrols and monitoring along the border will continue to be intensified to curb wildlife smuggling activities. — Bernama

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