Man caught importing skins of protected species

A 26-year-old man from Fgura was held at the airport yesterday in possession of a number of skins of protected species, an airgun and ammunition, police said.

He had just come off a flight from Libya.

The police also found 20 species of stuffed birds, most of them imported illegally, in a search at his home.

The arrest was made after the police Administrative Law Enforcement unit and customs officials received a tip-off and mounted a joint operation.

The police said they had received confidential information that the man was involved in activities connected with the importation of illegal items.

Customs officials mounted a lookout for the man, who arrived on the flight from Libya just after midnight, sources said.

They stopped him as he walked through the green channel.

The skins were of birds and a mammal, probably a wolf, which is protected both in Malta and in Libya.

He did not offer any resistance and cooperated fully with customs officials and the police.

The man works in Libya.

Twenty stuffed bird species were then found at his home, the majority of which were imported into Malta illegally, the police said.

An official of the Environment Protection Directorate helped the police with identifying the species.

The man is expected to be arraigned in court in the coming days.

Inspector Alex Miruzzi from the ALE is heading the investigation.

A few weeks ago, a woman was caught trying to import several protected species following a trip to the US.

Another was caught trying to smuggle owls from Egypt - a popular destination with Maltese hunters.

The public can inform customs officials about any illegal importation by calling 21 249599 or 6999 6111. Callers may remain anonymous.