A United States-based Guyanese, who admitted that he was trying to take birds back to America by hiding them in his crotch, was yesterday fined $100,000.
Shivashtil Ramrattan, 22, formerly of Corentyne, Berbice, admitted to illegally exporting the birds when he was arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
Ramrattan, who now resides at 123 Richmond Hill, Queens, New York, on Monday was an outgoing passenger at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, when he was found with two ‘Towa Towa’ birds, which require protection in Guyana.
Prosecutor Shavonne Jupiter stated that on the day in question, a female officer on duty observed that Ramrattan looked suspicious and he was taken to the Timehri Police Outpost and a pat check was done on him which uncovered the birds in the crotch of his pants in hair curlers.
When given the opportunity to speak, Ramrattan said that he was taking back the birds as pets to the United States.
When Magistrate Faith McGusty asked the defendant where the birds were kept, he confirmed that they were in the crotch of his pants.
He was subsequently fined.
