Rabat – An international network active in possessing, hunting and illegal trafficking of eagles was dismantled recently at Marrakech-Menara airport in coordination with customs services, according to Morocco’s Regional Directorate of Water and Forests and the fight against desertification of the High Atlas.
The regional directorate seized eight anesthetized and carefully concealed sparrow hawks and a significant amount of other protected species.
A vehicle suspected of being used in the transport of sparrow hawks, was subjected to control on November 16, the same source added.
The suspected owner of the vehicle was interrogated with the assistance of the Royal Gendarmerie, under the supervision of the competent prosecutor’s office. Investigations revealed that it was indeed an operation of illegal trafficking of eagles, whose owners are people from the Gulf country.
The birds were in the possession of people “who were the subject of a search notice and who were preparing to leave Morocco’s territory on a private jet.”
To complete the investigation, a team composed of officials of the Royal Gendarmerie and Water and Forests moved to Sidi Bennour to ensure the origin of the sparrow hawks and search for possible other individuals involved in the operation.
“The Department of Water and Forests welcomes the efforts made by its elements to deal with the scourge of the possession and illegal trafficking of game, while calling on all the actors concerned to redouble their efforts to put an end to this reprehensible practice ”, concluded the Regional Directorate.
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