Antara 23 Nov 16;
Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA News) - The Water Police of Riau Islands on Tuesday foiled an attempt to smuggle around 1,300 birds of magpie family from Malaysia to Nongsa, Batam District, Riau Islands Province.
The spokesperson of Riau Islands Police Office, Adjunct Senior Commissioner S. Erlangga, gave this information here on Wednesday.
The birds were smuggled from Malaysia to Nongsa, Batam using a speedboat, and later the suspect transported these on a minibus.
"However, while the officers raided and secured the evidence, the suspect managed to escape," Erlangga noted.
The police confiscated the 40 PK speedboat and around 1,300 magpies caged in cardboard boxes.
Around 100 birds were found dead while the rest have been deposited with the Animal Quarantine Office of Batam Center.
The authority is investigating the case to track down the suspect and others involved.
Magpie commands a high value in the animal market in Batam.(*)
