Nazir Khan, who tried to board a flight to Canada with 22 live birds hidden in hair curlers in his carry-on luggage, will learn his fate today.
Khan yesterday pleaded guilty to the charge that on June 14, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, he attempted to export 22 birds of one species without obtaining a certificate of permission for their exportation.
Prosecutor Bharat Mangru said that Khan is Guyanese born and that on the day in question he was an outgoing passenger on Caribbean Airlines flight BW 606, destined for Toronto, Canada when the find was unearthed.
The court heard that the defendant’s carry-on luggage was passing through the security screening when it was observed that the birds were concealed in hair curlers.
Mangru explained that Khan, after being questioned, said that he had the birds for his personal amusement and admitted that he had no certificate or permit for their exportation.
When given a chance to speak, Khan said he was not aware he needed a “pass” to export the birds. He further explained that if he knew, he would have acquired the necessary permission, thereby acknowledging that it was a fault on his part.
The Chief Magistrate explained to Khan that she was unable to locate the specific section of the law which deals with the imposition of penalty for the offence for which he was charged. As a result, sentencing was deferred until today and Khan was admitted to bail in the sum of $75,000 and ordered to lodge his passport with the police, who he said already had it.