Two Guyanese nationals, were fined TT$60,000 (G$1,980,000) for being in possession of illegal wild meat.
The men ages 60 and 32 appeared before Comptroller of Customs Fitzroy John and were to pay their fines today.
Reports reveal that the Guyanese had the bags of wild meat which was to be returned to Guyana to be sold to locals for the Christmas Season.
Reports further disclose that at 08:00hrs on Friday, officers of the Customs Preventative Branch were on duty at Piarco International Airport in the baggage hall when they observed two Guyanese nationals with nine duffel bags.
The men, according to the Trinidad Newsday, were ordered to hand over the bags in which were found gutted and cleaned carcasses of wild hog (quenk), lappe (a type of forest rodent) and deer weighing over 700 pounds with a street value of TT$80,000.
The wild meat had not been declared, causing the Customs officers to notify Game Wardens from the Forestry Division. The nine duffel bags containing the seized meat were removed to a place for quarantine, and will be burnt as directed by the Comptroller of Customs.
The sale of wild meat is big business in Trinidad especially with the Christmas season in full swing. Police sources said the illegal wild meat industry sees millions of dollars exchanging hands as one pound of wild meat (depending on the type of animal) could be sold for as high as several hundred dollars.
