ICA thwarts man's bird-smuggling plans

[chowka]

ICA thwarts man's bird-smuggling plans
Posted: 07 September 2010 1210 hrs
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Photo of the smuggled mata puteh (Oriental White-Eye). Photo courtesy of AVA
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SINGAPORE: The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers thwarted a man's plan to smuggle birds using his sling bag.

ICA officers on Sunday inspected hand-carried boxes of an Indonesian traveller when they thought they heard faint chirping.

Further inspection showed the 49-year-old man's sling bag had 11 birds peering through the several small boxes they were in.

Officers also found 16 kilogrammes of ant larvae.

The Indonesian claimed he intended to sell the contraband items to a bird shop in Telok Blangah and has been referred to the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) for investigations.

ICA said the importation of live birds without an AVA permit is a violation of the Animals and Birds Act, which carries a maximum penalty of S$10,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.

-CNA/wk