GERIK: The Perak Border Security Agency seized 1,480 protected birds from two suspects near here early this morning.
Agency commander Assistant Superintendent Kasturi Othman said the two suspects, including a senior citizen, were detained in the 2.15am raid near the Perah rest and recreation (RNR) area.
“An agency officer, together with a team of enforcement officers from the state Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) had inspected a van parked at the RNR area.
“Upon inspection, the raiding party found four large cages full of hanging parrots (burung serindit) inside.
“The suspects aged between 28 and 65 failed to produce any permit or proper documentation for the birds,” he said today.
Kasturi said preliminary investigation found that the duo were on their way to deliver and sell the birds to a buyer in Ipoh.
“The suspects, both from Machang, Kelantan, claimed they did not know the birds under their possession were protected bird species," he said.
The case is being investigated under the Wildlife Protection Act, 2010 (Act 716) which carries a maximum punishment of RM700,000 or a jail term no longer than 10 years or both, upon conviction.