Jail for man who tried to smuggle exotic birds into S’pore

A man who tried to smuggle live exotic birds into Singapore, by hiding them in small boxes beneath the carpet of a car’s front and rear passenger seats, has been sentenced to jail.

Muhammad Farhan bin Abdullah, 29, was on Wednesday (Oct 26) sentenced to three months’ jail for illegally importing three red-whiskered Bulbul birds, and three months’ jail for subjecting them to unnecessary suffering or pain. Both sentences will run concurrently.The Singaporean was discovered at Woodlands Checkpoint on June 6 by Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers, who then notified the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA). Investigations confirmed that the birds were imported without an AVA permit.

The birds, which were tested and found to be free from avian influenza, have since been successfully rehomed to Jurong Bird Park, said a joint statement from the AVA and ICA on Wednesday.

The statement noted that animals smuggled into Singapore are of unknown health status and may introduce exotic diseases into the country.

The offence of importing any animals or live birds without an AVA permit carries a maximum penalty of S$10,000 and/or jail of up to one year.