According to official sources, credible information were received by Khalid Mehmood, Director General, DGI&I that some unscrupulous elements were planning to smuggle huge quantity of falcons of highly rare species to Gulf states from Balochistan.
Reacting on the information, a team of DGI&I conducted a raid in Jeewani coastal area that led to confiscation of 36 falcons worth around Rs 30 to 40 million in international market. However, the alleged smugglers managed to flee from the scene.
The official sources said that nobody was arrested as when the team raided the place where the falcons were kept, the alleged smugglers managed to escape in their high-speed boat.
According to them, the trade of falcons is prohibited in Pakistan under Sindh Wildlife Protection Ordinance 1972 but the department issues permits for hunting falcons only to foreign hunters - mostly royal family members of the Gulf states - who are issued re-export licenses by the foreign ministry, enabling them to carry back the falcons after hunting the internationally-protected species.