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Bid to smuggle parrots, rare peacock foiled by GOF

Bid to smuggle parrots, rare peacock foiled by GOF

TUMPAT: The General Operations Force (GOF) foiled an attempt to smuggle three parrots and a rare white peacock worth about RM65,000 in Pengkalan Kubor last night.
However, no arrests were made in the operation, said GOF Southeast Brigade commander Datuk Nik Ros Azhan Nik Ab Hamid.
He said the Eighth Battalion team was on routine patrol under Op Taring Wawasan when they spotted suspicious activities about 11pm.
"GOF personnel came across several boxes and animal cages hidden along the riverbank. Upon inspection, they found three parrots believed to be of the cockatoo species and a rare white peacock, with an estimated value of RM65,000.
"They are believed to have been smuggled in from Thailand via an illegal jetty," he said.
He said the case was being investigated under Section 60(1)(a) of the Wildlife Conservation Act 2010.
The seized animals have been handed over to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) in Kota Baru for further action.
He reaffirmed GOF's commitment to strengthening border patrols to curb cross-border smuggling, particularly of protected wildlife species.
"The GOF will continue to intensify efforts to safeguard our borders against such illegal activities," he added.
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