Being smuggled out: Rare falcons’ trip to Kuwait cut short, freed in Pindi

ISLAMABAD: 

An attempt to smuggle two rare falcons out of country was foiled and a Kuwaiti arrested from Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA) on Thursday.

This is the second attempt to smuggle rare species of birds that was thwarted by the Punjab Wildlife Department and the Airport Security Force (ASF) in seven months.

Officials said the birds were taken into custody at around 5am, after the suspect, Muhammad Ammar, was stopped during security check.

The suspect, who was wearing a loose trouser, was boarding a Kuwait-bound plane when the authorities stopped him for inspection. They found the birds tied to his legs. The birds were smaller than the ones previously seized by the department, said an official.

The suspect was detained for a few hours for an inquiry, during which he claimed the birds had been gifted to him. However, he confessed to his crime when he was produced before a magistrate later. The court fined him Rs300,000, while the birds were set free at Ayub National Park on court orders.

Continued:  http://tribune.com.pk/story/447149/being-smuggled-out-rare-falcons-trip-to-kuwait-cut-short-freed-in-pindi/