Customs gives wings to caged birds

The Special Investigations and Intelligence Branch (SIIB) of the Mumbai Customs on Thursday raided the commercial and residential premises of an exotic birds dealer and found several birds and other pets falling under the endangered species category.

The raids, which started in the afternoon, continued till late in the night. Experts from the Wildlife Department and ornithologists were in the process of preparing an inventory and classification of the seized birds and pets, AK Prasad, Commissioner of Customs and head of the SIIB, said.

The raiding party, led by Deputy Commissioner JP Singh, encountered resistance from the dealer, who runs his business in the name of 'Hoshi Fulwariwalla' from shop number 16 at Crawford Market. Interrogation of Hoshi led the Customs sleuths to a residential premises situated at Bora Mohalla near Fort, where more than 70 species were found caged.