Burglars steal protected birds, among other valuables
BUTTERWORTH: When they commit a crime, they not only cart away jewellery and other valuables from the victims’ houses, but birds, too.
Seven birds of protected species worth about RM2,000 each were seized from two men during a police raid at a house in Kampung Baru Mak Mandin, Butterworth.
Police found two sun conures, a black-capped lory, two pigeons, an African gray parrot and a rainbow lorikeet kept in three cages at about 10.30am last Thursday.
They also seized items like chainsaws, drills, a compressor and various light industry machines from the men, aged 26 and 27, who were said to be involved in at least four house break-ins in Butterworth and Mak Mandin areas.
North Seberang Prai OCPD Asst Comm Noorzainy Mohd Noor said on the same day earlier, another police team had moved in on another group of five, aged between 21 and 49, at a house in Kampung Perlis, Butterworth.
He said the raids codenamed Ops Pintu were led by Butterworth police station’s Insp Mohd Shaazuani Razali.
He said initial investigation showed that the two men would “sell” their stolen goods to the group of five in exchange for drugs.
“The two men admitted stealing the birds and were involved in three other house break-ins in Butterworth and Mak Mandin.
“We believe a 37-year-old man in the group of five is a drug dealer. We found 19g of heroin and 6g of syabu worth RM1,000 in total during the raid,” ACP Noorzainy said.
The men will be remanded until April 22 to facilitate investigations under Section 457 of the Penal Code for burglary.
The sun conure is native to South America; specifically, Venezuela, Northern Brazil and Guyana.
A sun conure can live between 15 and 25 years with proper nutrition, exercise and regular veterinary care.
The black-capped lory originated from New Guinea and was listed under a threatened bird species, according to wildlife trade watchdog Traffic.