Cops foil attempt to smuggle in 541 wild birds worth RM571,500

KOTA BARU – The Eighth Battalion of the police force’s General Operations Force (GOF8) thwarted an attempt to smuggle in 541 white-rumped shama birds from Thailand yesterday.

GOF8 assistant commanding officer Ramesh K. Krishnan said in the 4pm incident, the “Strike Force” members conducting Op Wawasan detected a suspicious-looking car in Kg Jubakar, Tumpat.

“An inspection on the vehicle led to the discovery of 32 baskets containing 541 white-rumped shama birds, suspected of being smuggled in from Thailand.

“The birds are estimated to be worth RM571,500,” he said in a statement here today.

He added that the 28-year-old driver from Perak was detained for investigations while the seized animals were handed over to the Wildlife Department for further action. – Bernama, May 30, 2022