Switzerland Uncovers Global Bird Smuggling Scam

2026-01-07 02:16:12

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) Customs investigators have uncovered a trade in protected birds between Switzerland and several European countries. This content was published on January 7, 2026 - 13:38 3 minutes Keystone-SDA

Deutsch de Zollfahndung deckt internationalen Vogelschmuggel auf Original Read more: Zollfahndung deckt internationalen Vogelschmugge

+Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox

According to the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security, dozens of animals have been illegally imported since 2024.

The starting point of the investigation was the inspection of two Portuguese nationals at the border crossing of the Great St Bernard Tunnel in November 2024, said the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS). The two men, aged 54 and 46, had not declared around ten protected birds.

Further investigations revealed that a third man was involved in trafficking between Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Portugal. The three people used the premises of their company to store the birds.

According to FOCA, they are said to have illegally imported a total of more than 50 birds with forged purchase receipts and without the necessary certificates. The value of the goods amounts to almost CHF100,000.
More More Italian caught smuggling 66 panettones into Switzerland
This content was published on Dec 16, 2025 An Italian man was stopped near the customs post at Brusata, canton Ticino, with more than 100kg of undeclared foodstuffs.
Read more: Italian caught smuggling 66 panettones into Switze

MENAFN07012026000210011054ID1110568959

Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.