Customs investigators have uncovered a trade in protected birds between Switzerland and several European countries. +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 ...
