*** ----> Officials foil bid to smuggle falcons | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Officials foil bid to smuggle falcons

ManamaAn attempt to smuggle 24 falcons into the Kingdom was foiled by the Egyptian authorities recently.

According to Egyptian press, the birds were found hidden in the luggage of a passenger and are worth around EGP6 million (BD140, 000).

Quoting a source in Cairo International Airport, Al Youm Al Sabe’a daily reported that “the man seemed suspicious and was caught during the regular inspection of passengers travelling to Bahrain”.

The man apparently drugged the 24 falcons before packing them in his luggage.

“A committee from the veterinarian quarantine department at the airport was immediately formed and the passenger was referred to the Public Prosecution for interrogation,” the report mentioned.

An official from the airport said that each falcon is worth around EGP250, 000 (BD5,800) and the Egyptian authorities are tightening its supervision on all exits to prevent smuggling attempts. 

The official added that the birds would be released in its natural environment once the interrogation and the necessary formalities are completed.