A number of persons were recently caught attempting to smuggle song birds out of Guyana and were penalised in accordance with the provisions of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (2016). According to a statement yesterday from the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC), they were:
Harrigobin Lalta, who was fined $1 million after being found with 15 song-birds en route to Canada;
Seenarine Ramparshad, who was sentenced to 6 months in prison after being intercepted with 3 song-birds destined for New York City;
David Persaud, who was fined $300,000 for being in possession of 6 song-birds destined for New York City;
Deryck Singh, who was fined $750,000 after 8 song-birds were found in his possession while travelling to Barbados;
Deochand Dhanraj, who was fined $700,000 after being intercepted with 6 song birds while heading to New York City; and
Lakesha Brown, who was fined $500,000 when she was found with 15 song-birds while travelling to New York City.
In each case, the Commission said that the birds were concealed in a cruel manner. The Commission said that that there is often a high mortality rate when the birds are removed from the containers/devices in which they are concealed. The GWCMC commended the work of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit and the Guyana Police Force for their involvement in intercepting these smugglers.
GWCMC encouraged persons wishing to export any species of wildlife to obtain the necessary licences and permits to do so.
The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (2016) which was brought into effect on June 1, 2017 established the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission.
