American woman convicted for exporting towa-towas

Last Updated on Monday, 2 November 2015, 20:44 by GxMedia

A Guyana-born American woman was Monday convicted and fined for exporting finches (towa-towa) illegally.

Chief Magistrate Ann Ann McLennan fined Ranjit Singh Takurdin GUY$75,000 after she pleaded guilty to the offence.

The prosecution’s case is that on October 31, 2015 at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Timehri, East Bank Demerara she attempted to traffick the birds out of Guyana without lawful permission.

Police Prosecutor Deniro Jones told the court that a routine search on Singh’s person revealed that the birds were found concealed in hair curlers.

In addition to the fine, Singh has been banned for one year from exporting any animal.

The exportation and importation of such birds is prohibited by American and Guyanese laws.

Bird racing is big business among Guyanese mainly in Queens, New York