KARACHI: Collectorate of Customs Enforcement & Compliance (E&C) seized 75 birds of endangered species during the intervening night of 14th and 15th of October, 2020. The value of these birds in international market is over Rs200 million.
Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Collector Saquif Saeed has said that Pakistan Customs has the authority to conduct raids on the basis of information regarding presence of smuggled goods and there is a due procedure in this regard.
He said that Pakistan Customs Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) successfully conducted two search operations in posh areas of DHA which resulted in recovery of a large number of exotic birds belonging to endangered species under International Convention on Illegal Trade on Endangered Species (CITES).
He further stated that credible information was received to the effect that unscrupulous persons involved in illegal trade of wildlife have hidden smuggled birds in residential premises for their subsequent illegitimate export to foreign countries.
In view of the significance of the said information, a clandestine surveillance was mounted which confirmed this information. Based on this initial spade work, a operation was conceived under which two teams headed by senior officers were constituted to conduct search operations in late hours.
The search resulted in historic recovery of 75 falcons and houbara bustards. The value of these birds in international market is over Rs200 million. FIR in this regard has been lodged and further investigation is under way.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan is signatory to various international conventions regarding protection of wildlife. The seized birds are protected under local law and under International Convention on Illegal Trade on Endangered Species (CITES).
Pakistan Customs has planned to release these birds to their natural habitat after completion of due legal formalities. The civil society will also be invited to participate in this rehabilitation exercise.
