A 55-year-old overseas-based Guyanese was fined $140,000 after he appeared before Principal Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle for attempting to export exotic birds without obtaining the necessary permits.
Victor Antonio Corrica who resides at 22 North Road when he visits Guyana pleaded guilty to attempting to export 65 exotic birds without obtaining the necessary permits from the authorities. He was held at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri on May 14 with the 65 ‘Lesser Billed Seed Finch’ birds, popularly known as ‘Twa Twa’.
Attorney-at-law Mark Waldron who represented the man said that his client was not aware that he had to obtain a permit to take the birds with him. Waldron said that it was a case of negligence on his client’s part but he did not wish to waste the court’s time. He also said that the birds, which are not an endangered species, were handed over to the Wildlife Association.
The magistrate imposed the maximum fine for the offence and also ruled that Corrica be disqualified from obtaining a licence to export for the next 12 months.
After the ruling was made Waldron requested the magistrate to order the return of the birds to Corrica, saying that the man had lost his airfare, missed his flight and was also given the maximum fine. However Magistrate Robertson-Ogle ruled that the birds remain the property of the state.
